In the early 1870s, the United States entered an impactful period of American history known as the "Age of gold", which caused an exceptional transformation due to industrialization and urbanization. However, the transformation of this era has created a mere facade for corruption and classism. A division between rich and poor. Many wealthy people regarded the Gilded as "golden," but the working poor saw through the shiny exterior and saw the corruption that lurked beneath it. There's this constant question of what America's identity is, whether it's two nations, between the poor and the rich, or one nation where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. The Gilded Age was plagued by problems that many workers, members of society, began to notice as they were not free citizens of a healthy republic when they struggled to pay their bills or feed their families. The feeling of lack of recognition from the Founding Fathers led to strikes that angered entrepreneurs. The nation grew for better and worse, as the rich got richer and the poor got poorer. In my essay I will explain who among the wealthy transformed America economically and socially, how the economic development of the Gilded Age influenced American freedom, and how reformers addressed industrial society. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Many business leaders took control of the industrial revolution and held enormous economic power. One among many is Andrew Carnegie, an innovative entrepreneur who set out to establish control over transportation, manufacturing and distribution in the steel industry. Carnegie amassed hundreds of millions of dollars. His technologically advanced enterprise, Carnegie Brothers & Company, produced more than 60 tons of steel, earning him about as much as the average American earned in a year. He was living the life of what many considered the American dream, from starting from nothing to creating a business empire. Carnegie ran his companies relentlessly. The person behind the oil company was John D. Rockefeller, he is known for eliminating rival oil refineries by fighting to control competitors and participating in secret deals with railroad companies, fixing prices and production. From the documents, it was noted that 4,000 companies disappeared into large corporations that served domestic markets and had control over the market. Without any government regulation, both of these businessmen benefited from controlling product prices through monopolies, and the existence of a corrupt government also benefited businessmen when they bribed legislators to turn elections into fraudulent practices . This resulted in social and political injustices towards lower class citizens. By 1880, John D. Rockefeller controlled 90 percent of the nation's oil drilling, refining, storage, and distribution operations. Similar to Carnegie who donated money to philanthropies, public libraries in cities and other parts of the country, Rockefeller invested his money in foundations to promote medical education and research. Rockefeller also ruthlessly destroyed all unions organized by his employees. The working poor saw corruption in the Gilded Age. The working conditions for labor jobs are horrible and dangerous. All American workers during this period faced economic and social problems due to corporate corruption and lack of laws and.