Monopolies affected small businesses by forcing them to shut down. A small business cannot compete with large companies, especially their ability to buy goods in bulk. When a company buys goods in bulk, it is able to negotiate a better price. Small businesses cannot do this because they don't have access to as much capital as large businesses do. The Gilded age lasted from 1870 to 1900. It was a volatile time in the history of America. The Industrial Revolution had spread offering opportunities for many people to make a lot of money but, at the same time left many farmers and workers struggling for survival.