The initial stages of big business Essay Example for Free

The initial stages of big business EssayWhile the initial stages of big business trace back to pre-Civil War America, it was non until the post-Civil War time period that large potfuls effected on American society. From Rockefeller to Vanderbilt to Carnegie and all in in the midst of, these men and their businesses had unprecedented influence on American life. tail Rockefeller created the Standard Oil Trust, with the intention of his business, Standard Oil Company, becoming the oil monopoly short after, The Homestead Strike against Carnegie Steel aroused massive public endorse for unions. Likewise, big businesses result and influences brought about a decline in the cost of living and the birth of a parvenufangled political party. As a whole, the scrape up of big business in post-Civil War America caused a d professward scotch spiral while simultaneously increasing American hostility toward politics and corporations, ultimately leading to the birth of new political and philosophical movements.The growth of corporations in post-Civil War America led to economic deflation which subsequently widened the gap between the rich and the poor, paving the way for a change in restriction and the relationships between social classes. The chart form Historical Statistics of the United States depicts the connection of the amplify in big business with the improved innovations of mass production in agriculture. While improved farming equipment increased the crop production, the demand for produce declined, creating economic deflation.In response to the farmers plight, Charles Macune came up with the idea of the subtreasury plan, a plan that would allow farmers to store their nonperishable commodities in government warehouses until the market prices rose. Also, as a response to the farmers struggle the Farmers Alliance was created with the intention of alleviating farming hardships. Similar to agricultural mass production, Theodore Dreisers Sister Carrie demonst rates how the face lift in big business contributed to the mass production that spurred department stores.Department stores like Macys and Wanamakers sold mass amounts of the same product for reduced prices. As opposed to the few that could afford the pricey handmade garments in years prior, these prices allowed the masses to engage in commercial operation. The growth of big businesses all the way goes hand-in-hand with consolidation, where there is an increase availability of consumer goods for society. In order for there to be department stores and an increase in agricultural innovations, there need to be a transition from specialized labor to mass production.D devouring(prenominal) Wells, Recent Economic Changes asserts the opinions of a corporation leader on the switch to mass production by comparing its effectiveness and necessity to that of a military. While Wells believes specialization of labor left transactioners unskilled and useless, mass production stripped the wor ker of his independency and decreased the workers pride in his craft. The economic demands for mass production created sweatshops as opposed to the one-man-owned small businesses that operated prior.The rise of big business changed labor production and impacted the economy with mass production it also changed the labor force, allowing more opportunity for employment. Prior to this time, women generally were not active in the work force, yet the picture of female typists depicts a slew of women preforming the same task. Mass production allows for more labor opportunities because unspecialized labor entails little skill. By requiring more workers, big businesses have opened the doors for women in the workplace.Andrew Carnegies, Wealth displays how the general population felt the impact of big business through the theories of Social Darwinism and Social Gospel. Carnegie believed that the sozzled were fit for success and money which is why they should handle the finances as opposed t o the poor, who were subject to elites decisions. However, the rich needed to use their surplus funds to go the community and the lives of the less fortunate because, He who dies rich dies in disgrace. Carnegie was a model of Social Gospel, considering munificent donations to parks, universities, and museums. Due to these theories, the poor experienced a new financial relationship with the richesy, where they received generous luxuries. The impacts of big business influenced the economy and lead to deflation, a larger economic gap between the rich and the poor, a change in labor, alterations in relationships between social classes, and ultimately contributed to shifts in government that spawned new political ideals.Similar to the economic alterations brought about by the growth of corporations, big businesses contributed to a ball up government and a wave of unprecedented political movements. The caras welln, Big Bosses of the Senate illustrates the publics view of government bei ng stretch out by the leaders of large corporations and senators aligned with trusts. The issue with the senate was that senators were not directly elected by the people and the senate was close to less study powerful citizens. This allowed men with their own financial goals ahead of the welfare of the people to be elected.Cartoonist Thomas Nast earned fame with a portrayal of senator Boss Tweed, New York Citys wealthy convicted thespian and extortionist, as a vulture devouring the citys bones. In 1869, Tweed proved he was a corrupt politician when used his power to ensure his protege, John Hoffman won governor, bribed Republicans, and was convicted of forgery and larceny. Due to the corruption in government, the Sherman Anti-Trust act was created this legislation outlawed trusts and monopolies that fixed prices.In response to the corruption the coitus passed the Pendleton Civil Service, where candidates for federal positions were thoroughly examined, and the Interstate Commerc e Act, where the Interstate Commerce Commission oversaw the interstate practices of the railroad industry. Another issue with government that was directly related to big business was the lack of organized labor. George McNeils, The Labor Movement, explains how helpless laborers felt about the excess power of those in charge of large companies.To challenge the disturbed power, Oliver Kelley founded the Grange, an organization intended to help farmers, buy less and produce more, in order to make famers more self-sustaining. The Grange focused their wrath on attacking railroads which charged higher rates for short runs as opposed to long hauls. In 1877, the Grange brought the court case Munn V. S. Illinois to the Supreme Court the Supreme Court declared the farmer Laws (there appeals to the railroads) as constitutional and upheld the law that set a maximum rate for the storage of grain.While the Grange targeted some of the publics issues with leaders highflying(prenominal) power, most people felt like they were being exploited by large firms and wanted a way to stand up to the leaders. Samuel Gompers, What Does Labor unavoidableness addresses the publics desire for unions that will ensure adequate wages and compensation for companys negligence. Since so many Americans sought after the right to directly elect senators and have the right to organize, the political party, the Populist Party, was formed with a platform containing the direct election of senators, civil service reform, and an eight-hour workday.The document, the great unwasheds Party Platform, discusses how the Populist Party was dedicated to returning the government to the people, ending oppression, injustice, and poverty, and strengthening central government. The Populist Party supported referendum, the policy where voters could consecrate a law or express their views a proposed measure, and the subtreasury plan. Major advocates of the Populist Party included James Weaver who was the presiden t of the party and a presidential candidate in 1892, galvanized supporters, and forefront speaker Mary Lease who spoke about big businesses making Americans wage slaves.Henceforth, the growth of big businesses contributions to a corrupt unrestrained government and newfound political movements consequently produced a plethora of sentiments from the American people. The effects of big business in post-Civil war America roused avid opinions from citizens in response to the third-class population and corporation leaders excessive power. Carnegies Wealth exhibits the prominent turn-of-the-century philosophy of Social Gospel, the belief that great wealth comes with great responsibilities.The belief came about in response to the unprecedented surplus of wealth the wealthy acquired through their profitable business endeavors. Carnegie warned the public the, The man who dies so rich dies disgraced, because men have the duty to regard their surplus fortunes as a trust to be administered for the benefit of the community. Despite the fact that Carnegie responded positively to the impacts of emergence corporations, many people found themselves dissatisfied with their new working conditions.McNeils, Labor Movement, demonstrates the laborers belief that the leaders of big business obtain too much power and control over the workers. The leaders placed unfair monopolies on the food and fuel industries, corrupted the government, withheld lawful wages, and discharged and employee without cause. If employers tried to organize, corporation leaders could resort to blacklisting, a method in which he would close a factory to break a labor movement before a union could form. The majority of citizens did not respond well to the unrestrained powerGompers, What Does Labor Want, documents labors demands for the right to organize, adequate wages, and compensation for companys negligence. In response to the peoples demands, Terrence Powderly founded the Knights of Labor, an organization w hich attempted to unify all working men and women. The Knights of Labor denounced wage-slavery and encouraged workers to combine their wages so that they could collectively purchase mines, factories, and stores. After declining in national importance, the American Federation of Labor (AFL), an alliance of skilled workers in craft unions, began to grow.The AFL opposed political activity not directly related to the union and advocated its bread and butter goals much(prenominal) as higher wages, shorter hours, and better working conditions. Over time, the AFL grew to be Americas most powerful labor union and in 1904, Samuel Gompers was recognized as the national spokesman for American laborers. While many peoples plights were alleviated by these organizations, some people still were devastated by the expansion of big business.George Rices How I was ruined by Rockefeller, demonstrates how Rockefellers monopoly on oil poked major holes in Rices wallet. Rice could only by the Standard Oi l Companys oil, as opposed his prior oil that was not only the same quality oil, but also, it was three cents cheaper. This practice exemplified the American Rose Theory, where in order for a gardener to have the best rose, he needs to cut all the other roses in order for a company to be the best, it needed to eliminate all of its competition.This theory also plays into vertical integration, where a company buys out its competitors in order to ensure that it is the greatest. As a whole, the growth of corporations effects on the economy and politics were the main reasons for new philosophies pertaining to the social classes and new political demands and ideals. From the severe economic deflation, to the increased political tensions, to the birth of new political and philosophical movements, the impacts of growing big business on all aspects of post-Civil War American life are truly evident.Had mass production not contributed to agricultural innovations, then the economic deflation w ould not have had much(prenominal) a profound effect on farmers livelihoods. If the government was not controlled by large corporation leaders and senators aligned with trusts, then there is a large possibility that the Populist Party would have never been born. If the people were not perturbed by leaders power, then labor movements such as the American Federation of Labor would not have occurred. Overall, the rise of big business completely changed the face and functions of American society.