Apush- Monopolies
Lauren Martinez APUSH
Ms. Pellecchia February 2013
America’s industrial growth during the period from 1870 to 1900 was greatly impacted by growth of large corporations that affected the economics and politics of our nation. As corporations began to grow, so did their power and influence. Their numbers grew to be so significant that they were known to be one of the major forces within the United States, with both a great amount of power and the ability to control much within the United States. Their power and influence expanded and impacted the economic and political aspects of our nation. These corporations dominated American business and defined the American culture. The Gilded Age, a term coined by Mark Twain, was used to describe the conditions within the United States during this time. The nation was “lined with gold”, but had many struggles and obstacles that spread through the social, political, and economic aspects of the United States. These big businesses initiated many transformations within the United States and set the foundation for America becoming the world’s greatest industrial nation. In the time period between 1870 and 1900, corporations used their influence and power to control and transform both the economic and political systems of the United States. In response, Americans organized and implemented changes within the society to counteract the detrimental effects of these massive monopolies. During this era, the government practiced laissez-faire, an ideology that called for minimal government regulation of economic affairs. The government did not interfere with these monopolies and their negative impact on the economy. The railroads were viewed as one of the largest monopolies during this time. The railroad corporations could lower wages, provide bad working conditions, and fire workers without justification. When the government did take action in these affairs, they usually favored the corrupt
Ms. Pellecchia February 2013
America’s industrial growth during the period from 1870 to 1900 was greatly impacted by growth of large corporations that affected the economics and politics of our nation. As corporations began to grow, so did their power and influence. Their numbers grew to be so significant that they were known to be one of the major forces within the United States, with both a great amount of power and the ability to control much within the United States. Their power and influence expanded and impacted the economic and political aspects of our nation. These corporations dominated American business and defined the American culture. The Gilded Age, a term coined by Mark Twain, was used to describe the conditions within the United States during this time. The nation was “lined with gold”, but had many struggles and obstacles that spread through the social, political, and economic aspects of the United States. These big businesses initiated many transformations within the United States and set the foundation for America becoming the world’s greatest industrial nation. In the time period between 1870 and 1900, corporations used their influence and power to control and transform both the economic and political systems of the United States. In response, Americans organized and implemented changes within the society to counteract the detrimental effects of these massive monopolies. During this era, the government practiced laissez-faire, an ideology that called for minimal government regulation of economic affairs. The government did not interfere with these monopolies and their negative impact on the economy. The railroads were viewed as one of the largest monopolies during this time. The railroad corporations could lower wages, provide bad working conditions, and fire workers without justification. When the government did take action in these affairs, they usually favored the corrupt