The late 19th century underscored significant transformations in American society and economy, with rapid industrialization reshaping the fabric of our nation. As a result, the early 20th century had to grapple with the ramifications of these changes, particularly the rise of big business and its impact on various facets of American life. This period saw the consolidation of corporate power, leading to concerns about economic inequality. Moreover, the emergence of labor movements and social unrest underscored the tensions arising from the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few industrial titans. Theodore Roosevelt's New Nationalism came as a response to tensions and labor demands, aiming to regulate large corporations. New …show more content…
Nevertheless, labor unions provided a collective voice for workers to demand fair wages, better working conditions, and greater job security. Through collective action and solidarity, labor unions played a pivotal role in advocating for social and economic justice during this transformative period in American history. Published in 1906, The Jungle by American Muckraker Upton Sinclair portrays the struggles of laborers in the early 20th century through its depiction of the exploitative conditions in Chicago's meatpacking industry. One excerpt from the book states: “...Jurgis had once been among those who scoffed at these huge concerns of cheating, and so now he could appreciate the bitter irony of the fact that it was precisely their size which enabled them to do it with impunity.” (Sinclair, p108) This passage highlights the systemic inequality inherent in industrial capitalism, where the sheer scale of corporations enables them to wield power over workers and circumvent accountability for their actions. Moreover, both this quote and Theodore Roosevelt’s New Nationalism speech highlight how easy it is for the wealthy to exploit
Today, Upton Sinclair is regarded as a hero to the working class people. He is currently recognized for the extensive work he has accomplished, such as most famously writing The Jungle. This dynamically contrasts the way Upton was viewed during his time. Although some viewed him as famous, his fame was controversial. Many denounced his religious and political views, and felt he was extremely unpatriotic. While reviewing several documents and periodicals from his time period, it was proven that many
Political Novels of The Jungle and Johnny Got His Gun Introduction: Although writing has been around for thousands of years, the medium of books is a relatively recent phenomenon. In the mid 15th century, German Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press that made multiple, cheap copies of works that were easily available for the masses. With the help of other technological developments including the linotype in the mid-1880’s, the printing process became easier and faster and therefore