From the time period of 1870 to 1900 the growth of big businesses in the United States had a major impact on the economy, politics, and the response of Americans of Americans to these changes. These businesses grew significantly in number, size, and influence and had an ever-lasting effect on Americans and their surrounding community. Industry and its new technologies have had an amazing impact on reducing the costs of the goods necessary to life, such as food prices, fuel and lighting prices, and the cost of living (Document A). The standard of living of most Americans should have increased, as more wages would be left over to spend on luxuries. Aware of the extra-money available to working families, the different pieces of a Big Business have acted in such a way to suck that extra-money from the poor families.
To what extent should the 1920’s in America be remembered as good times or bad times? After World War one and the Treaty of Versailles, America became an isolationist. This meant they isolated themselves from all the other countries and didn’t get involved in other countries problems, America decided to take care of her own problems. During the 1920’s the USA became the richest and most powerful country in the world as a massive economic boom had occurred. However in 1929 disaster struck as banks went bust and share prices hit rock bottom.The roaring twenties, the age of excess and the Jazz age.
Definitions of Freedom The Gilded Era and the Progressive Era were important times of social and economic growth in American history. During the Gilded Era, there were rapid industrialization, innovation of technology and science, the rise of big business, and the construction of the transcontinental railroads. Afterward, the first year of the 20th century to about 1914 is marked as the Progressive Era. This was a time to combat monopolies and corruption, more government interference and protecting the rights of the poor, women, and consumers. One of the big issues in these two eras was conflicting definitions of “freedom.” Although people had freedom to make money in the Gilded Era, only a small minority of robber barons could do so.
Between 1100 to 1600 C.E. cities played the role of maintaining social and cultural structure with a greater power in charged that provided a booming success with the economy. During 1100 to 1600 C.E. it was very common for the western and eastern hemispheres of the world to have someone in charge of a city to take care of the civilians. Sometimes these cities were even under monarchy that helped the economy greatly with vendors selling rare gems and gold outside of their castle gates.
Both economics and politics experienced radical changes during the Early Republic period in America. Remarkably subtle but undoubtedly significant was the development of a recognizable middle class during the Early Republic. This revolution can be attributed to what Wood refers to as a “consumer revolution of immense importance” and through the pervasive spread of commerce. A newfound appreciation for domestically internal trade and the recognition of the significance of this internal trade increased prosperity and gave more people enthusiasm for business. The quantity of those involved in buying and selling increased exponentially and in response, the development of modern day concepts such as businessmen and entrepreneurs arose.
With new job opportunities, progressive ideas, an air of liberalism had engulfed the American continent. This openness and jubilance was most evident in the arts, entertainment and economic sectors of the economy. The changes in these areas largely affected the 1920’s and to were a great extent responsible for the Roaring Twenty’s nomenclature. The American economy had rarely witnessed such great prosperity as it did after the World War I.
Although the problem of smuggling had to be overcome, exportation in Britain was booming. Britain was in the midst of a mass industrial revolution and was ‘rich’ in the right resources such as cotton, other textile goods and coal. This was a real boost for Britain’s economy and was a factor completely
In the era following the Civil War, Industrialization had many leaders. These leaders achieved the great growth of the economy and industry of the United Sates, leading the United States to become the leading industrial power in the world. Many historians question how honest these men were with their actions, we critique them because of the way they distributed their fortunes. It is true; many of these industrial leaders did cause harm socially, creating barriers and many competitions nationwide. They are called “industrial statesmen” for the great economic power they helped America become.
The Super Rich Are Killing Our Democracy It was foretold by Thomas Jefferson that the downfall of a democracy is the accumulation of wealth by the rich and the lack of money for the poor. This is now happening with the Super Corporations controlling the flow of money and the flow of money controlling our politicians. Barbara Ehrenreich, in her article, “The Trouble With The Super Rich”, talks about: America being divided more and more by money. The upper class is shrinking in size, but not in wealth. Having such a small amount of people possessing such a large amount of the wealth will pull down society.
[5] There was also a rise of leisure time, emergence of an urban middle class, technological advances, and an increase of wages. The twenties saw an increase of consumer spending. Many wages were spent on cars, radios, and household appliances. The economy was booming. Workers were making enough money to have some leisure spending and time, and industries were taking advantage of this by catering to these new audiences.