Final answer:
In its early stages, industrialization led to traditionally weak presidents who were influenced by the financial backing of industrialists and businessmen, shaping the legislation to reflect their interests. The power balance began to shift toward the presidency in the twentieth century due to the complexity of governance needed in an industrialized nation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the late nineteenth century, industrialization played a critical role in shaping American politics and the presidency. During this time, traditionally weak presidents were at the whim of legislators and lobbyists who had the financial influence necessary to secure their political positions. Industrialists and businessmen could exert such influence that often times legislation passed was more a reflection of their desires than that of the public interest.
Moreover, presidents mainly exercised power through patronage and private deal-making, a situation which worsened with civil service reform that emphasized merit-based hiring over patronage. It wasn't until the twentieth century when the tussle for power between the Congress and the presidency began to become more pronounced, influenced heavily by the country's growth in population and economic size as a consequence of industrialization.