...Captains of Industry? Or Robber Barons? [pic] Overview: The thirty years plus, following the end of the Civil War, is often referred to as the “Gilded Age”. This was a term coined by Mark Twain, the most renowned American writer of the period. It refers to a superficial period of intense economic growth. During this time, businessmen created large business organizations known as trusts. The ingenuity of these entrepreneurs earned the titles of “Captains of Industry”. Yet, their ruthlessness in building wealth at the expense of their competitors, workers and consumers often earned them the title “Robber Baron”. This DBQ (Document Based Questions) asks you to decide whether these businessmen were “Captains of Industry” or “Robber Barons”. Background Essay During the post-Civil War period, an era commonly referred to as the Gilded Age, the economy of the United States grew at a fantastic rate. With the exception of a recession during the mid-1870s, and another during the mid-1890s, the economic growth was in unprecedented in United States history. Manufacturing output increased by 180 percent. Railroads, an important catalyst of growth, increased in miles by 113 percent. Steel production grew to over 10,000,000 tons per year by 1900. Every aspect of the American economy expanded from traditional activities to new enterprises brought about by the huge influx of cutting-edge technological inventions. The gross national product almost doubled during the period and the per...
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...While the elite of this time period enjoyed unheralded success, many of the lower classes were exploited. The Gilded Age was a time of economic growth for the U.S.; the industrialization of the country and the technological advances made it possible for certain individuals to achieve extraordinary amounts of wealth. However, this wealth came at the cost of the general population. This economic and social inequality is what led to the terrible living conditions as described in Jacob Riis’ How the Other Half Lives. In his pioneering work of photojournalism, Jacob Riis draws attention to the horrifying living conditions in the poor slums of New York. Although there were many reasons for the terrible living conditions, three of the most influential...
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...The Gilded Age, a period beginning in the 1870’s and lasting until the late 1890’s, was an era in American history characterized by unparalleled economic growth and technological advancements while also plagued by significant social and political challenges. The name Gilded Age is derived from famous author Mark Twain’s novel of the same name, written for the purpose of exposing the blatant corruption and excessive materialism of America’s most rich and powerful. This essay aims to analyze the juxtaposition of prosperity among the wealthy elite and inequality during the Gilded Age. The rampant industrialization of the Gilded Age propelled prosperity by fostering great economic growth and technological innovation, consequently exacerbating...
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...The Gilded Age: History and Effects on Society The Gilded Age, which lasted from 1870 to around 1910, was an extremely influential period full of hardship for the poor and women of the United States and the creation of monopolies as well as reformation of government and accomplishments in the United States. The name “The Gilded Age” comes from Mark Twain when he referenced the fact that the period was polished and golden on the surface, yet unethical and foul underneath. Despite the appearance of prosperity, the era was marked by income inequalities and political corruption. Despite the corruption, consumerism, and capitalism that characterized the Gilded Age, it was also a formative period for new America, one in which an agriculture-based...
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...In greed, there were some political, social, and economic conditions driving industrial growth from 1870 to 1890 in the United States. There were some positive and negative aspects of industrialization in the Gilded Age. Greed is good. There were more inventions produced towards the end of the chart and were getting more complex. The majority of railroads were in the east coast. They were expanded in the middle and some towards the west coast. The railroads changed from 1860 to 1890 by the total mileage of the region west of the Mississippi River increased from 2,175 to 72,389 and the population of that area increased fourfold. During the late 1800s, immigration increases rapidly. The Senate ran during the late 1800s by the business owners are running the Senate....
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...During the late 1800’s, a group of innovative businessmen would change America’s standing in the world forever. Some of these men were Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan and many more who contributed to industrial and economic change in the United States. They were not remembered as heroes by everyone. Some believe that their monopolizing ideas and ways of crushing their competition made them out to be “Robber Barons” rather than ¨Captains of Industry¨. They received a bad name because their success and the money they made, was at the expense of the working class. They revolutionized the American industrial system and boosted America’s place as a national manufacturing power, while also monopolizing businesses and hurting the working class. Where you find wealth, you'll find that the land contains monopolies. The Captains of Industry made money and revolutionized the American industrial system, boosted America’s place as a national manufacturing power, increased the standard of living in America by creating many jobs, and generously gave away their own money to various charities and organizations. There are multiple reasons why these big businessmen should be remembered as “Captains of Industry”. One example is their generosity towards the...
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...Shift To The Progressive Era Following the Civil War, the mid-19th century brought a second industrial revolution. Many technological advances took place during this time, which gave way towards the beginning of the Gilded Age. Although the Gilded Age brought great economic improvement, many suffered. The economic development that this era brought to America was very appealing to immigrants, and America experienced a large influx of European immigrants towards the latter part of the 1800’s. Despite the technological and economic improvements of the Gilded Age, only a small percentage of the population in America reaped the benefits of this. Living and working conditions were abysmal, and tensions rose within the large, yet poverty ridden middle...
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...The period in America from 1865 to 1900 was known as the Gilded Age. This was a time for big business, industry, new inventions, and urban growth. With these new ideas and concepts came many problems. A few of these issues were political scandals, overpopulation in cities, monopolies, and bad working conditions. In summary, there were good and bad parts to the Gilded Age; however, it led to a new, modern era in America. During the Civil War, factories were working overtime to churn out supplies for the soldiers. Since the South was mainly a farming community, the North had a huge advantage, and eventually won the war. Troops were put in the South to enforce the new amendments added to to the Constitution. This included the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments that freed slaves, gave them the rights granted with citizenship, and the right to vote. The backlash of the Civil War led to industrialism....
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...Robber Barons Nikki Jakus – 5th In 1859, Frederick Douglass delivered a lecture in which h explained America's success as the effect of men's drive to conquer each new frontier they were faced with, whether it was the mysterious West, or the struggle for land and resources. They used theses invisible walls as motivation to fuel their drives in building a new nation from nothing. Thus the American Dream was born. These men, those who, born with none of the advantages/privileges of others yet managed to become great successes through their own hard work and determination, became known as Self Made Men. Rugged, independent, and driven: they became pioneers of their time. They lead the way in progress and innovation during the Gilded age. One of history's best know examples of a Self Made Man is Andrew Carnegie, the Steel king . Born in Scotland to hand loom weavers, his family immigrated to America when the mechanization of the cotton industry put them out of work. They settled down in Allegheny, PA where Carnegie worked as an errand boy in a textile mill to support his financially struggling family. He soon gained a job in a telegraph office where he proved himself dedicated when he memorized addresses and names. When his father died he was left the sole supporter of his family at age 20. With little education, Carnegie taught himself at the library and night school. While in the telegraph industry, he proposed new ideas that increased profit in Railways and communication...
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...“Neither a rich man or a poor man gets to enjoy his money. One is too busy trying to hold on to it, and the other is too busy trying to get it.” During the Gilded Age, the American economy kept boosting up, but that did not assure the lower class improvements in their living conditions. At this time, life was tough, but for the upper class, luxuries came easily. The public was either economically sturdy or they were trying to at least get a meal per day. During the Gilded Age the lavish lives between the prosperous and the less fortunate were distinguished vastly through their living conditions, however, they both shared the same dissatisfaction within their lives. Above all, the lives of the wealthy included fortunes expanding...
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...America’s Gilded Age: 1870-1890 1. The American economy thrived because of federal involvement, not the lack of it. How did the federal government actively promote industrial and agricultural development in this period? BE SPECIFIC. The federal government actively promoted industrial and agricultural development. It enacted high tariffs that protected American industry from foreign competition, granted land to railroad companies to encourage construction, and used the army to remove Indians form western land desired by farmers and mining companies. 2. Why were railroads so important to America’s second industrial revolution? What events demonstrate their influence on society, politics, and the economy? Spurred by private investment and massive grants of land and money by federal, state, and local governments, the number of miles of railroad track in the US tripped between 1860 and 1880 and tripled again by 1920, opening vast new areas to commercial farming and creating truly national market for manufactured goods. The growing population formed an ever-expanding market for the mass production, mass distribution, and mass marketing of goods, essential elements of a modern industrial economy. The railroads created 5 transcontinental lines and 4 times zones throughout the nation. 3. Why did organized efforts of farmers, workers, and local reformers largely fail to achieve substantive change in the Gilded Age? In order to achieve substantive change in the Gilded Age,...
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...During the Gilded Age and the era of reconstruction, the populist movement marked a significant turning point in the United States economy. Although the populist movement had both an economic effect and political effect, the economics of the populist movement had a greater impact on United States history. During the populist movement, populists advocated for policies that would help benefit laborers. They mainly advocated for government control over railroads for better markets and banks with proper usage of silver as a currency. However, there was conflict as this threatened the laissez-faire practices of the economy and challenged big business power. The populist advocating for the working class significantly shifted economic power away from...
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...8/31/15 SI: Monday 2-2:50 WH118 Tuesday 11-11:50 WH 218 Thursday 11-11:50 WH 111 hallecarrasco@my.unt.edu * Overview of reconstruction * Lincoln’s plan (1863-1865) * Presidential reconstruction (1865-1867) * Congressional reconstruction (1867-1872) * “redemption” (1870-1877) * * know general phases * congressional reconstruction (or radical reconstruction) * radical republicans in congress * thaddeus stevens – from Pennsylvania - Charles sumner * Had similar reasons * Stevens in sympathetic to those that are oppressed ; steps up and opposes lincoln’s plan; doesn’t think the oppressed have been helped enough through concrete measures. Big supporter of freedman’s. * Sumner was beaten by canes in the senate chamber – personal animosity toward slavery and democracy in the south * almost like restarting over; a do-over * idealism and political motive * wanted to create a republican party in the south * Wanted to * Punish southerners * Protect freedmen * Strengthen republican party * 14th amendment * granting citizenship to African americans; can vote and hold office * outlawed black codes * righting wrongs that had popped up * some African americans were actually elected to senate; although this doesn’t last * 15th amendment ...
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...EXPAND ON GILDED AGE CORRUPTION IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Was it innovation or greed and corruption that played a pivotal role in making the United States the leading industrialized nation in the world during the late 19th Century and early 20th Century, also known as the Gilded Age? In the book, Isaac’s Storm by Erik Larson the author describes how greed and corruption by the United States government ultimately leads to poor decisions after a horrific disaster in 1900 [Larson]. In addition, well-researched essays by Henry Demarest Lloyd and Emma Goldman back up Larson’s theory that the Gilded Age was actually a very dark time for the United States. Isaac’s Storm describes the historical aspects of the national weather service, weather forecasting, and hurricane predictions. Larson gives insight into the personal tragedy of a destructive storm in September of 1900 and how it affected Galveston, Texas and its position as a major city in the United States. Teemed with devastation and arrogance, the book follows Isaac Cline who was one of the first meteorologists at a time when there really was not a true science connected to weather predictions. He showed a real aptitude in this new field and eventually found himself assigned to the weather bureau in Galveston, Texas [Larson]. At the beginning of the 20th Century, a great confidence pervaded the United States. Isaac Cline was one of the era’s new men, a scientist who believed he knew all there was to know about the motion of...
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...professor Stephen Bainbridge lambasted occupy's "moronic movement against corporate personhood" -Doug Henwood concerns about size of the personhood and reminds Occupy activists that after all big corporations build computers and fast trains and thus represent economic progress - Corporations as persons reaches back as far as 1886 decision of the U.S - . Once the concept itself is clarified it is more straightforward to consider its impact on society at large - Marx, the integument of corporate personality has been burst asunder by the reality of modern capitalist production, thus, the knell of corporate personality sounds - South of San Francisco became known around the globe as Silicon Valley, it was a conflict between railroad “robber barons” like Leland Stanford and Charles Crocker and legions of struggling small farmers, mixed in with some opportunistic land swindlers, looking to get by after the end of the Civil War. - Historian of the American West Richard Maxwell Brown noting Marx's paid much attention and interest in California events at the time - On may 11 1880 two groups confronted each other : one a small group made up of two land buyers armed with a shotgun and a court order, accompanied by a U.S. marshal and a notorious Southern Pacific Railroad employee, and the other a larger informal “militia” of local homesteaders -...
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