In the late 1800’s, American industry was dominated by large corporations which fueled the industrial development of the United States. Hostility between American workers and their employers grew as salary inequities and questionable labor practices became more apparent. The financial disparity between the heads of big business and its workers developed into a growing issue. The image, “The Protectors of Our Industries”, portrays four wealthy businessmen on top of a raft that is being supported by a large numbers of workers. This political cartoon, created by Bernhard Gillam, appeared in Puck, a successful humor magazine, on February 7, 1883 and was one of many political satires of the day. The four men, Vanderbilt, Sage, Field and Gould
