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Apush Dbq Research Paper

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Sindy Chen Mr. Kirkendoll APUSH February 13, 2016 In the post-Civil War United States, corporations grew significantly in number, size and influence. During this time period, big business impacted the economy politically, economically and the way Americans responded changed over time. As business started to grow, some companies monopolized other companies while some companies also started to lose their business. Furthermore, people started to have more leisure time and business played a role in providing entertainment for its people. These changes over the past thirty years were molded by the actions and development of big business. Economically, many of the business’ such as railroads and steel companies dominated the industry. Railroad …show more content…

Many of the workers “demand a reduction of the hours of labor”(Document G), because they were required to work long hours with little pay in bad working conditions. Moreover, the workers had to comply to their bosses with no questions asked, “in which the individual no longer works as independently as formerly, but as a private in the ranks, obeying orders, keeping step, as it were, to the tap of the drum”(Document C). The labors did not work in good conditions, but because the economy was bad, workers could not just quit their job at their own free will. They needed money to pay for their tenements and food, and many of them lived in hull-houses or tenements stuffed with other families and individuals in the same position as them. On the other hand, according to the statistics provided by document A, food prices and fuel and lightening prices decreased significantly over the the years from 1870 to 1899. The cost of living also decreased over the years, but barely. Comparatively, big businesses started opening department stores which attracted the consumers during their leisure time. Department stores were “hundreds of stores coordinated into one and laid out” all under one roof which made it easier for the consumers to shop. Individuals started to enjoy leisure, while some went and shopped, some enjoyed movies and even walking around the

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