Question

What message does the cartoon convey about the relationship between big business and the U.S. government in the late 19th century?

A) Big business had little influence on the government and was often ignored by the senators.

B)
Big business had a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with the government and respected the people's interests.

C) Big business had a dominant and corrupting influence on the government and disregarded the people's rights and welfare.

D) Big business had a competitive and antagonistic relationship with the government and challenged the constitutional authority of the senators.

Answer 1

Cartoons from the late 19th century often reflected a perception that big business had significant, sometimes corrupting, influence over the U.S. government, with minimal concern for public welfare. This influence is evident in the era's pro-business policies and the weak enforcement of anti-monopoly legislation. The correct option is (C).

Step-by-step explanation:

The message conveyed by cartoons depicting big business and the U.S. government in the late 19th century reflects a perception of an intertwined and often corrupt relationship between the two. Considering the historical context provided, the appropriate answer to the question would be: Big business had a dominant and corrupting influence on the government and disregarded the people's rights and welfare.

This is supported by the era's economic policies, notably under President Warren Harding, which favoured a pro-business orientation. Political cartoons, like those by Thomas Nast, and the observation of significant governmental intervention on behalf of businesses highlight how big businesses could manipulate political outcomes. At the time, legislation like the Sherman Anti-Trust Act aimed to curb monopolistic practices, but enforcement was often weak, allowing corporate barons significant sway over government policies.