Big Business In The Gilded Age

When the Reconstruction Era ended with the infamous Compromise of 1877, a new era known as the Gilded Age emerged. This time period was plagued with corruption, industrialization of the the North and urbanization by farmers and blacks. The United States boomed with industry and new businesses, but at the same time, it led to a great deal of political corruption and scandals. People who were already rich became richer while the poor became poorer trying to work in dreadful conditions. During the late 19th century, the presidents of this period were subservient to big business, a third party could triumph over America’s two-party system if the government became corrupt and they received enough supporters, and I believe the influence of big business
If you look at our current candidates for the presidential elections for 2016, people like Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have millions of dollars donated to them so they can campaign for certain laws and goals. With the money received from supporters, these candidates are able to continue their campaign for presidency while other people like Rick Perry had to drop out because he had no more funds. To me, whoever has the most money and support from businesses are more likely to get government positions. Furthermore, if you look at the controversial candidate Donald Trump, I only think he has a high stand in the presidential race because he was already a powerful and rich businessman prior to his declaration in joining. Trump is a billionaire and his status in the business world as well as his connections propels him to have a better chance to become one of the finalists in the race, at least that is what I believe. If businesses did not play a factor in elections, campaigns would be much more modest and Trump would most likely not be in a favorable light to
The entirety of the Gilded Age was plagued by corruption and greed that was ignored by the government because they preferred to let events play out by themselves. Reasons like this are why third parties are formed and why the government is still corrupt today. Without a doubt, big businesses will always influence our government because money plays a huge factor in how people function, so the common people mean little to