The initial stages of big business Essay Example for Free

The initial stages of big production line 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 hatfuls effected on American society. From Rockefeller to Vanderbilt to Carnegie and all in mingled with, these men and their businesses had unprecedented influence on American life. John Rockefeller created the meter Oil Trust, with the intention of his business, Standard Oil Company, becoming the embrocate monopoly short after, The Homestead Strike against Carnegie Steel aro employ stiltive unexclusive support for articulations. Likewise, big businesses return and influences brought about a decline in the cost of living and the give up of a new semipolitical party. As a whole, the rise of big business in post-Civil warfare America caused a downward economic spiral while simultaneously increasing American opposition toward goernment and stools, ultimately leading to the birth of ne w 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 labor and the relationships between social classes. The chart form Historical Statistics of the United States depicts the tie-up of the increase in big business with the ameliorate innovations of flock crossroadion in agriculture. While improved res publica 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 Si ster Carrie demonstrates how the rise 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 rock-bottom prices. As opposed to the few that could afford the pricey handmade garments in years prior, these prices allowed the mickle to engage in commercial activity. The growth of big businesses clearly 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.David 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 doers unskilled and useless, mass production stripped the worker of his indepen dence 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 similarly changed the labor force, allowing more(prenominal) 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 mixer Darwinism and Social Gospel. Carnegie believed that the fuddled were fit for success and money which is why they should handle the finances as opposed t o the poor, who were thing to elites decisions. However, the rich needed to use their surplus funds to better 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 wealthy, 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 corrupt government and a wave of unprecedented political movements. The cartoon, astronomical Bosses of the Senate illustrates the publics view of governme nt being run by the leaders of large corporations and senators line up with trusts. The issue with the senate was that senators were not now elected by the people and the senate was close to less 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 passage of senator Boss Tweed, New York Citys wealthy convicted fraud and extortionist, as a vulture devour 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 regulation outlawed trusts and monopolies that fixed prices.In response to the corruption the Congress passed the Pendleton Civil Service, where candidates for federal positions were thoroughly examined, and the interstate Commerce Act, where the Inte rstate Commerce Commission oversaw the interstate practices of the railroad industry. Anformer(a) issue with government that was directly related to big business was the lack of organized labor. George McNeils, The repulse Movement, explains how helpless laborers felt about the superfluous power of those in charge of large companies.To challenge the unrestrained power, Oliver Kelley founded the Grange, an organization intended to help farmers, get less and produce more, in order to make famers more self-sustaining. The Grange focused their wrath on fight railroads which charged high rates for short runs as opposed to long hauls. In 1877, the Grange brought the court carapace Munn V. S. Illinois to the Supreme Court the Supreme Court declared the Granger Laws (there appeals to the railroads) as constitutional and upheld the law that assemble a maximum rate for the storage of grain.While the Grange targeted some of the publics issues with leaders unrestrained power, most peopl e felt like they were being exploited by large firms and cute a way to stand up to the leaders. Samuel Gompers, What Does Labor Want addresses the publics desire for unions that bequeath ensure adequate wages and compensation for ships companys negligence. Since so many Americans desired the right to directly elect senators and have the right to organize, the political party, the Populist caller, was formed with a platform containing the direct election of senators, civil service reform, and an eight-hour workday.The document, Peoples Party Platform, discusses how the Populist Party was dedicated to returning the government to the people, ending oppression, injustice, and poverty, and streng becauseing central government. The Populist Party supported referendum, the policy where voters could enact a law or express their views a proposed measure, and the subtreasury plan. Major advocates of the Populist Party include James Weaver who was the president of the party and a presiden tial candidate in 1892, galvanized supporters, and forefront speaker system 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 cause 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 bang-up 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 thus rich dies disgraced, because men have the certificate of indebtedness to regard their surplus fortunes as a trust to be administere d for the benefit of the community. Despite the fact that Carnegie acted positively to the impacts of growing corporations, many people found themselves dissatisfied with their new on the job(p) 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 act to organize, corporation leaders could resort to blacklisting, a method in which he would close a grinder 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 organiz ation which 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 such 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 improve by these organizations, some people still were devastated by the expansion of big business.George strains How I was ruined by Rockefeller, demonstrates how Rockefellers monopoly on oil poked major holes in Rices wallet. Rice could only by the Standard Oil Com panys 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 grievous 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 woul d not have had such 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.