J. P. Bryan's Struggle After The Civil War

Labor unrest grew as industrialization took off, hitting railroads first because they had strong capital and government support. Workers felt powerless as their skills became less valuable in an economy dominated by big companies. Long hours, dangerous conditions, and low wages led to significant labor movements. After the Civil War, technological innovations and investments lowered production and distribution costs. Big firms were supported by administrative frameworks and national credit agencies, and lower transportation and communication costs helped national media and advertising. By the early 1900s, corporate leaders used Taylorism to increase efficiency by breaking down tasks, making workers interchangeable with the parts they used. This sped up
Between 1895 and 1904, many mergers transformed the American economy, with companies like General Electric and DuPont leading. By 1901, J.P. Morgan’s United States Steel controlled the steel market, marking the rise of monopolies. William Jennings Bryan (1860–1925) was a famous orator, Nebraska congressman, three-time presidential candidate, and U.S. secretary of state under Woodrow Wilson. He supported prohibition and opposed Darwinism in the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial. Bryan gained fame for attacking the gold standard and promoting free silver, advocating for policies to help average Americans. Although he never won the presidency, he significantly influenced American politics. Born in Illinois, he moved to Nebraska, where he became known for his speaking skills and served two terms in the Nebraska House of Representatives. In the 1890s, Bryan promoted bimetallism to help farmers with debt, famously delivering the "Cross of Gold" speech in 1896. Despite losing presidential bids in 1896, 1900, and 1908, Bryan incorporated Populist issues into the Democratic Party, paving the way for the progressive