They are called “industrial statesmen” for the great economic power they helped America become. At the same time, they are regarded as “robber barons” because they built their great wealth by abusing the system, abusing employees, and destroying their competitors to satisfy their own needs. They grew America, but brought down many on their path. Document F is concentrated on John D. Rockefeller. A great man, really, in charge of having possibly the biggest oil refinery company in the world.
Gatsby himself became corrupt when his goals were turned to Daisy. “Her voice is full of money”(120). This shows that his goal is centered around money, not love. “That huge place over there?… I love it”(90). In this quote when Gatsby asks “Do you like it” its almost like he asking “You like it right, its big enough?”, which shows that he thinks that all Daisy wants is money, so her goals are corrupted.
After the First World War or “the war to end all wars”, the whole world thrived with prosperity. New inventions and industries that were damaged by the war kicked off and then came the “roaring 20’s”. The 20’s brought great riches and prosperity to many. Some people developed a fortune and new life for themself. However contrary to they’re lavish lifestyle these people who acquired new wealth were seen as unworthy to the wealthy community in America (the “old rich”) and were shunned by the click of wealthy Americans who were born into they’re materialistic lifestyle.
While both the men are exceptionally wealthy they came into money very differently. Gatsby had to lie and cheat for his money in his later years of his life and Tom was born into prosperity. Tom makes it very clear to Gatsby in the novel that wealth is “in his blood,” causing Gatsby to work even harder to win back Daisy. Gatsby is a very friendly and
As with other chapters’ reactions, I find this one to be of mild interest. I enjoyed reading about the colonists’ struggles and efforts, and was especially struck by the riot shout, “‘Tyranny is Tyranny let it come from whom it may’” (Zinn 75). It’s obvious that this time in history was very rocky. Turns out, the rich not only had the most wealth and influence, but when war came up, they could get out of being drafted by paying for substitutes. This just reflects on the attitude that the rich held and holds in higher contrast the dedicated drafted soldiers versus the rich who avoided injury.
The cash-strapped communities found this idea to be irresistible. Private prisons were paid according to the number of filled beds because of which these corporations constantly pushed for more inmates (Fisher, 2011). The very existence of a for-profit corporation raises an ethical issue: what are the implications of operating a prison on a purely profit motivation? A corporation has one bottom line and that is how to make as much money as they possibly can. There is no such thing as “enough.” It has a peculiar characteristic that it is legally bound to put its bottom line ahead of everything else, even the public good (Achbar et al., 2004).
Even when he is found out by the Inspector, Birling still believes that because of who he is he can buy or lie his way out of any blame for the death of Eva Smith. He thinks that money might be able to get him out of this situation. At the time wealth does buy a lot of power. Nearly all people in positions of power were also those who are the richest, for example the monarchy. “(Unhappily) Look, Inspector – I’d give thousands – yes thousands – “.
The adage, “History repeats itself” may seem hackneyed but it is indeed true. Many instances of history show that the powerful can do what they wish. The Monroe Doctrine and the dropping of the Atomic Bomb are just a few of the instances. The strong can do what they wish because they use their wealth, social status, and military prowess to manipulate others. For example, in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Great Gatsby, Tom and Daisy ruthlessly ruin other people’s lives; however, their wealth and high social rank allow them to avoid punishment.
The One Percent (Documentary) “The One Percent” is about the richest people in America, The 1% of the people who control the world which is over half of the country’s wealth according to this documentary. The documentary talks about how these rich people keep getting richer and richer helped along by friendly legislators and tax codes. Jamie Johnson tries to make this about the gap that exists between everyday Americans and the rich 1%. When the movie starts it appears as if Jamie Johnson is getting ready for an undercover video shoot. Trying to crash a croquet game at a high-class country club.
However, the development of new types of values, such as individualism, introduced changes throughout the Victorian Era. The idea of the self-made man became dominant in the middle class and the idea was that “if they work hard enough, all men can become wealthy”. And some people from the middle class did get rich and even joined the elite family. Middle- classes Victorians were also very prudish, and they believed that people could be easily tempted to stray from proper behavior. They were also extremely materialistic.