American Capitalism and Social Awareness The American economy of the 19th century was not only dominated by capitalism, but by how it was viewed through the eyes of the citizens that supported the economy. Americans, at the time, sparked the idea of supply and demand and influenced what there needs to be more and less of in their society. At first, Americans financed small, potential businesses, creating entrepreneurs who stood out in the money making process. This then transformed into capitalists owning corporations that stood no match to small businesses in the industry. Americans fed the hunger of these wealthy men by buying more and more of their booming, popular product. Citizens began to question these wealthy people, how they monopolized a certain product, and they became more aware of their economic surroundings. Americans’ awareness of society revolves around the economy. Every action and decision made by them is based upon the want for change for the better, thus creating an upset reaction towards the economy. Capitalists of the century knew how to become such wealthy men and did it in a way that everyone else envied them. Three important men made up the idea of business, wealth, and capitalism in the 19th century. These men were John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and J.P. Morgan. They controlled their industries beautifully while many Americans drooled over becoming rich like them in a heartbeat. The men put meaning to words like monopoly and tycoons and if you wanted to purchase something in America, it was bound to be owned by one of these men. Rockefeller owned the Standard Oil Company, which provided the only oil in the country, Carnegie maintained the steel, which was the main ingredient for buildings, and Morgan revolutionized banking and the railroad industry. These men constantly strived for a change in a America, making it better in some way, whether it was through business or new, updated technology. This provided reasons as to how they became rich, along with the process of wiping out competitors. In order for these men to become wealthy entrepreneurs, they had to wipe out the small, local businesses fueled by the people. Using horizontal and vertical integration, Rockefeller and Carnegie obliterated the competition either by lowering prices or investing in a product they think was needed for the future. “Mr. Rockefeller was driven to this new task of organization not only by his own curious intellect; he was driven to it by that thing so abhorrent to his mind-competition” (Tarbell). Rockefeller enjoyed the idea of a game for the spot at the top of the industry and he knew that if he entered it, he would come out on top. Not only could these men manipulate a certain trade industry, but they had the money to do it. People of America began to wonder how they were able to accumulate money so quickly, as they looked up to these men like gods of the money making business. But Americans started to get frustrated with them, envying them, and demanding for change in order to support their families and turn out with some extra cash to spare. Most of America became upset and would do anything to turn the economy around, even if they have to strike and protest until they are heard. The working class was effected the most by this unfairness of wealth and pushed towards better working conditions and salaries. Safe working conditions was hard to come by in the 19th century. Every area was booming with factories and mills wanting hard, extensive labor in order to produce fantastic products. Carnegie’s steel mill was a dangerous and life threatening place to be for a job. Running large machines required keen eyes in order to spot out anything wrong in the moment. Gigantic furnaces bursting with lava to smelt the iron was a death wish in the company. Many workers were burned to crisp when operating these furnaces, along with spending most of the day in areas of high, dry heat. Not
Related Documents: American Capitalism and Social Awareness Essay
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CHAPTER 16 WORKPLACE ISSUES I: EMPLOYMENT VERSUS PERSONAL DIGNITY CHAPTER 17 WORKPLACE ISSUES II: DESIGNING A BETTER ORGANIZATION 3 U.S. BUSINESS AND THE DECLINE OF COMPETITION The origins of business in the United States can be traced through the 6 stages of capitalism that were divided by a noted business historian, N. S. B. de Gras. Pre-business capitalism Petty capitalism Mercantile capitalism Industrial capitalism Financial capitalism National…
a social commentary in the era known as the 'Roaring 20's'. In a time of the decline of the 'American Dream', FSF criticises and commentates on social values such as status, wealth and gender roles. It can be argued that ‘F. Scott Fitzgerald produced a book that is an amalgam of realism and of romance.’ as stated by Julian Cowley which analyses the use of realism by FSF. Firstly, FSF uses the eyes of TJ Eckleburg to allow him to explore themes such as the effect of capitalism. This can be seen when FSF describes the eyes as ' …
norms, values, and culture of their society. In this paper I will talk about how my life has been affected due to socialization by my gender, race, religion and social class. I will also relate my personal experience to sociological research. As a child my life was very difficult. I was born to a young African…
‘CELEBRITY H U M A N I TA R I A N I S M 1. Global charity work of stars 2. Billionaire philanthropy 3. Humanitarian work of ‘spectacular’ NGOs G LO B A L C H A R I T Y W O R K O F S TA R S 1.) It is a ‘spectacle’ that covers up the wrongs of capitalism, thus enhancing it, and reinforces the status quo, thus guaranteeing their survival. Making their performance look good, the show also gives the advantage of downplaying their failures. Expression of the ‘postdemocratic liberal politics’, these…
States in over five hundred cities, there have been Occupy protests in many other countries across the world including our very own, Occupy Toronto movement which began in October 2011 (..........) In the book Occupy the Economy Wolff's argues that capitalism is the economic crisis that has affected today's society and has been the worst crisis since the events of the Great Depression. He states that many individuals have lost their jobs, homes and health care. In addition, those who are employed lost…
identifying patterns of how things work. Theories build upon one another. Interpretive frameworks intended to impose order on a phenomena. Theory and research go hand in hand. Social theory is unusual because it’s not obvious but once pointed out it’s blatant. We view things as second nature. The theorists wrote about the social world that envelops us and frames various beliefs and behaviors. “The discovery of society.” There is a coherence and order in the way society works that matters. September…
Social Inequality Unit 04 [pic] What are Marxist theories of inequality? Learning targets: • Marxism is concerned for the poor and powerless. • It claims that society is in conflict between the rich who control everything and the poor who must work for the rich and gain little in reward for their work. • The rich are able to maintain their position of power through control of the law, the police and other forms of authority. • The rich also control the manufacture…
Instructor: Dr. J. Foster Kendra L. Stokes November 21, 2012 THE AMERICAN DREAM The American Dream was of owning a home, having a child, and of booming business opportunities. Decades of transformation for society were underway, the global impact of these wars resulted in mounting tensions that lasted throughout the Cold War. This is a brief synopsis of a time that has far influenced our generations today. This was the armageddon of social stratification that a morphing society would continue to have…
concept of culture. Defined as a social heritage of society- its total ‘design’ for conducting a collective live. Refers to what those people in society believe, do, use, or produce Describe the concept of society. A large number of living people who lead a common life interacting in various ways according to a pattern of social organization and usually in a defined spatial area Describe the concept of subculture. Focuses more on narrowly on the way of life (social heritage) of some particular category…
Durkheim, a category of people with a higher suicide rate typically has: Answer Selected Answer: lower social integration. Correct Answer: lower social integration. Question 3 0 out of 2 points The social-conflict approach draws attention to: Answer Selected Answer: how elements contribute to the overall operation of society. Correct Answer: patterns of social inequality. Question 4 2 out of 2 points Robert Merton explained that what is functional for one category…