For industrial leaders, the growth of business brought immense wealth and power. Industrialists such as Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, and J.P. Morgan became some of the richest and most influential people in the country, amassing vast fortunes through their ownership of large industrial companies. These industrial leaders used their wealth and influence to shape the direction of the economy and political landscape, often at the expense of smaller competitors and the general public.
For industrial workers, the growth of business brought both opportunities and challenges. The expansion of industry created many new jobs, particularly in the manufacturing sector, which provided workers with the chance to earn a wage and improve their economic standing. However, working conditions in many industries were often harsh, with long hours, low pay, and dangerous conditions being common. Workers also had few legal protections or rights, and were often subject to exploitation by their employers. The growth of unions and the labor movement in this period was a response to these challenges, as workers sought to improve their working conditions and secure better treatment from their employers.