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Many of the richest Americans were from the Gilded Age because back then the government was a lot more hands off than today. There was more exploitation of workers happening back then and people could get paid a lot less than their labor was worth and there wouldn’t be any repercussions because the government wouldn’t interfere. The owners could cut costs with dirty methods but they would not get in trouble for it.

It is not as easy today to acquire as much wealth as the entrepreneurs had back in the Gilded Age. There are a lot more rules and regulations to follow and there are more taxes. There is a minimum wage that workers have to be paid (unlike in the Gilded Age) and workers can’t exploited as easily because they have worker’s rights.

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Period 2

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Large corporations that produces and sells its goods and services throughout the world

It increases the company’s mass production and creates more job opportunities

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Merging smaller companies into a larger one

Some of the biggest corporations today (like transportation) came from corporate consolidation

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Companies developing international influence or start operating on an international scale

There is a bigger market and more profit to be made by globalizing something

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Seek to influence on an issue

People with money (wealthy business owners) could influence politicians with money.

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Providing money to support humanitarian or social goals

It gives back to society and benefits society

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Private companies owning capital goods; investments are determined by private decision; free market

No government interference so private companies were making all of the profits.

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An illegal grouping of companies that discourages competition

There would be less competition

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Total control of a type of industry by one person or one company

There was a large amount of profit made for one person

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Combining companies that supply equipment and services needed for a particular industry

Increases barriers to prevent competition from succeeding

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Combining competing firms into one corporation

Led to the creation of monopolies

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Microsoft)

Captain of Industry

Impacted society by creating Windows as an operating system. It’s used by everyone around the world. The release of Windows boosted computer sales.

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Facebook)

Captain of Industry

Influenced society to get more connected. Facebook made it easier for people to connect with others that they had lost touch with, it made it easier to keep up with the news because articles can be shared/posted.

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Carnegie Steel Corporation)

Captain of Industry

He influenced society (especially the common man) to become more educated with the libraries and universities that he built.