Monopolies Destroy

Monopolies destroy. It can easily be said that big businesses grew to have a major effect on the economics and politics of the Unites States, especially between the period of 1870 and 1900. Corporations begin to grow, as did monopolies and businesses. Their numbers grew to be so significant that they were known to be one of the major forces within the United States with both a great amount of power and the ability to control much within the United States. However, while this power grew and expanded, it can definitely be said that big businesses eventuated in negatively impacting the United States. If one were to think of greed and power-hungriness, the big businesses are a prime example of such. It is important to take into account that, while the big businesses flourished, the wealthy men gained power from the poor men, who in turn suffered. (Document E) Individuals were taken advantage of rather than positively integrated within this capitalistic, industrial system.

The United States was controlled by particular groups of power than can be divided into Robber Barons and Captains of Industry. Some examples of these individuals include J.P. Morgan, Carnegie, and Rockefeller. These businessmen were truly what we can call wealthy. Within the time period that they had gained their power they, among a very select few other people, came to control 1/3 of the wealth of the United States. It is important to realize that this elite, wealthy class only took into account 2% of the population. Furthermore, this 2% ruled with unreasonable business practices. After they would buy out the respective businesses of their competitors, they would subject their works to cruel and demeaning conditions. Not only were the working conditions dirty and unsanitary, but also often times the quality of items greatly diminished due to the long working hours and extremely minimal pay that workers were subjected to.

Rather than creating a system within their business that was fair and rational, the owners of big businesses gave out such low wages that can easily be said were demeaning. Yet, work was of dire importance and, often times, individuals had no choice but to cooperate with these conditions, no matter how difficult it may have been. Immigrants even came over to the United States in order to fill the demands in search of a new life. This includes individuals such as the Chinese, Eastern Europeans, Hispanics, etc. With the increased arrival of works, population and overcrowding increased while sanitation decreased greatly. Even in factories, big business owners gave up quality for mass production to make money. For example, in the meat industry it was often found that the meat would contain traces of rat pellets or poison. All of these conditions were what