Industrialization in the nineteenth century brought about many changes to the US economy and new perspectives among employers and their workers. The divide between the social classes became more prominent with the growth of big businesses and monopolies. William Graham Sumner’s A Defense of Laissez-Faire contained ideas many corporate leaders supported. Sumner explained that the government should not help the poor otherwise it would cause a decline in social progress. In addition to the Laissez-faire policy, Sumner also touched on social Darwinism. He expressed the rich deserved their wealth and the poor also deserved their fate and anyone could gain wealth through hard work. The Populist Party and John Morrison’s A Testimony on the Impact
…show more content…
Adam Smith described the laissez-faire policy in the Wealth of Nations. Smith contended that, “…an “Invisible Hand,” guided by natural law guaranteed the greatest economic success if the government let individuals pursue their own self-interest unhindered by outside and artificial influences.” Businessmen of the nineteenth century began to use this idea as an argument against restrictive government regulation. They believed the right to own property was equivalent to the personal liberty protected in the fourteenth amendment, thus the Constitution became an instrument to, “guarantee unfettered economic opportunity and safeguard private property.” William Graham Sumner believed there was a moral obligation to uphold the laissez-faire policy otherwise, “if the government tried to help these unfortunate losers in the competitive struggle, progress would be halted and civilization would decay.” Businessmen never came to an agreement on the correct approach to dealing with the rise of class differences. Sumner believed, “men like Andrew Carnegie…may fairly be regarded as the naturally selected agents of society. The poor…also justly deserved their fate,” and other industrial titans believed any member of society could gain wealth through individual effort and hard work. Andrew Carnegie and George Pullman had a different understanding and a more hands on approach towards …show more content…
Nineteenth century industrialization brought major changes to the US economy and social life. These new changes created new perspectives between employers and workers about how the economy should be run. Businessmen were corrupted and unlawful about conducting their business so it became the responsibility of the working class to defend themselves from these injustices. Industrialization came with many benefits such as cheaper labor, decreased production time, a more leisurely lifestyle for those who could afford it; however, there still were downfalls, employees suffered long hours, poor working conditions and low wages. It is important for people to see how conflicting perspectives during this period of Industrialization were stepping stones in establishing a new and improved relationship between employers and employees and reducing economic injustices in corporate
Adam Smith described the laissez-faire policy in the Wealth of Nations. Smith contended that, “…an “Invisible Hand,” guided by natural law guaranteed the greatest economic success if the government let individuals pursue their own self-interest unhindered by outside and artificial influences.” Businessmen of the nineteenth century began to use this idea as an argument against restrictive government regulation. They believed the right to own property was equivalent to the personal liberty protected in the fourteenth amendment, thus the Constitution became an instrument to, “guarantee unfettered economic opportunity and safeguard private property.” William Graham Sumner believed there was a moral obligation to uphold the laissez-faire policy otherwise, “if the government tried to help these unfortunate losers in the competitive struggle, progress would be halted and civilization would decay.” Businessmen never came to an agreement on the correct approach to dealing with the rise of class differences. Sumner believed, “men like Andrew Carnegie…may fairly be regarded as the naturally selected agents of society. The poor…also justly deserved their fate,” and other industrial titans believed any member of society could gain wealth through individual effort and hard work. Andrew Carnegie and George Pullman had a different understanding and a more hands on approach towards …show more content…
Nineteenth century industrialization brought major changes to the US economy and social life. These new changes created new perspectives between employers and workers about how the economy should be run. Businessmen were corrupted and unlawful about conducting their business so it became the responsibility of the working class to defend themselves from these injustices. Industrialization came with many benefits such as cheaper labor, decreased production time, a more leisurely lifestyle for those who could afford it; however, there still were downfalls, employees suffered long hours, poor working conditions and low wages. It is important for people to see how conflicting perspectives during this period of Industrialization were stepping stones in establishing a new and improved relationship between employers and employees and reducing economic injustices in corporate