Our economy has officially reached an all-time low. Under the leadership of Grover Cleveland, there has been major economic upheaval in the country. Many tragedies have occurred such as several major corporations going bankrupt, 16,000+ businesses disappearing, a stock market crash and many bank failures (over 500 banks closed). There are over 3 million people unemployed in the nation at the current moment and they are crying out for help. The people are calling for government intervention in order to right these wrongs, however, the government seems to continue it's laissez faire techniques that favor big business over the poor farmers. Some of these people have organized their complaints into a formal party that was first called the Greenback Party. This party then morphed into the Populist Party.
Efficiency By: Veronica France
During this time period there was a great focus on the efficiency of industry and society. In industry they developed new methods of working such as the assembly line (invented by Ford) and Taylorism: a scientific approach to management. Although both of these measures were designed to help industry, the assembly line was actually not better for workers because it made them work harder at a pace that they weren't used to.
THE ECONOMY IS FOR THE PEOPLE! NOT FOR BIG BUSINESSES! MAKE SURE THAT YOU SUPPORT OUR FARMS BY JOINING THE POPULIST PARTY! FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE GREENBACK PARTY, WE WANT TO SEE YOU IN THE ELECTION! HELP US GET GOVERNMENT HELP FOR OUR ECONOMIC WOES!
Interstate Commerce Act By: Veronica France
The Interstate Commerce Act was one of the first measures made by the government to contain big business. It established the Interstate Commerce Commission in order to regulate the illegal activities and the monopoly that the railroad company held over the railroads. This industry was the first industry that was subjected to Federal regulation. The big businesses were required to submit annual reports of their finances to the Interstate Commerce Commission, but overall the act (like the Sherman Anti-Trust Act) was virtually infective against the power of the Captain's of Industry.
THE NEW NAVY!
The United States has invested in a new Navy! In order to fulfill our dream of imperial control all over the world, we need to establish a new and modern navy and have more coaling stations in order to travel around the world.
BIG BUSINESS!
This is a political cartoon that shows Rockefeller (a Robber Baron who controlled major industries) and how he controls Washington and the White House. It shows industry in the background as well as sacs of money which Rockefeller used to get what he wanted.
PANIC!
This is a political cartoon that depicts the Panic of 1893 and its connection to the gold standard within the United States.