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Published byMartina Riley Modified over 9 years ago
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Part I: Why Big Business is Good Defending the Corporation in American Society, 1870-1920
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Why Big Business? A Growing National Market Railroad Mileage: 46,000 in 1865, 238,000 in 1909. Railroads: Faster, More Efficient, Operate in Night and Bad Weather. National Goods Began Replacing Local Operations (Examples: Swift and Armour Meatpacking Companies)
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Rise of a National Market Created Consumer Culture Example: Sears Catalog In 1880s
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Why Big Business Becomes More Productive Vertical Integration: “All parts of the production process—from raw materials to final product—are controlled by a company.” Economies of Scale: “When producing more means producing more cheaply on a per unit basis.” Example: James Bonsack’s Cigarette Machine
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Was the Rise of Big Business Inevitable? A. Probably Yes B. No
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Life Before Big Business: The Oil Industry Oil Fields Oil Transportation Refineries Retailers
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John D. Rockefeller Integrated Oil Industry Oil Fields
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John D. Rockefeller Integrated Oil Industry Oil Fields Oil Transportation
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John D. Rockefeller Integrated Oil Industry Oil Fields Oil Transportation Refineries
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John D. Rockefeller Integrated Oil Industry Oil Fields Oil Transportation Refineries Retailers
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Why Rockefeller Was More Productive Most efficient refining technology. Not dependent on outside suppliers: own railroad cars, own barrels, own pipelines. Frantic devotion to cutting costs: The glue example. Economies of Scale: Price of Kerosene Falls
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Big Business Pioneered New Management Techniques Middle Managers: More Prominent, More Important
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The Virtues of Big Business: Andrew Carnegie Poor Immigrant from Scotland Tom Scott & Pennsylvania RR From PA RR to Carnegie Steel
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Carnegie Demonstrated “Virtues” of Big Business Opportunity to All (Immigrants)
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Carnegie Demonstrated “Virtues” of Big Business Opportunity for All (Immigrants) Continuous Technological Change
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Carnegie Demonstrated “Virtues” of Big Business Opportunity for All (Immigrants) Continuous Technological Change Lower Prices Revolutionize Economic Life (Survival of the Fittest)
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Lower Prices Generally Benefit … A. The Rich B. The Lower and Middle Classes
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Innovation Keeps Coming Oil Steel Automobile
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“Giving it All Away”
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Part II: Why Big Business Was Bad
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Rich Societies Are Generally Happier than Poor Societies A.Yes B.No
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Why Big Business Was Bad Exploitation of Workers
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Why Big Business Was Bad Exploitation of Workers Rise in Inequality
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Why Big Business Was Bad Exploitation of Workers Rise in Inequality Plight of Small Producers (End of Free Labor Ideology?)
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Why Big Business Was Bad Exploitation of Workers Rise in Inequality Plight of Small Producers (End of Free Labor Ideology?) Big Business and Political Corruption
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