But by 1865, the country was covered with a railroad network, which provided a true national market, by which small business businessmen, could expand their trade.  As demands of a growing nation arose, so did men rise to meet them,  such as, Armour for meats, McCormick for farm implements, and Studebaker for wagons. 

This new progressive era brought young aggressive men to the front and made people ready to accept bold innovations in technology.  The Jeffersonian principles of government, which were to keep government out of the private sector, aided the rapid growth of businesses, until they became known as, “Big Business”.

The government’s willingness to sell minerals, forests, and lands at rock-bottom prices, and the westward movement of population, made our rich natural resources available to those with capital and energy to grab them.

The velocity of the growth, the size of fortunes accumulated, the power of the trusts, and the rapidity with which natural resources disappeared, appalled many.  Big Business owners were referred to as “robber barons”.  Muckrakers (investigative journalists) released their wrath on oil companies, sugar companies, and meat companies.  Theodore Roosevelt was ready to launch his reform program. This was all a natural response.

However, history shows the Era of Enterprise was evoked by economic necessities, and the necessity for large-scale production to meet the needs of the fast growing population.  It was a necessity to the growth of this nation and this nation is stronger and better for it.  The Age of Enterprise gave America a strong industrial base, which would be absolutely necessary to win World War I and II.  The Age of Enterprise accomplished its mission.  Nation builders and their critics come and they go, but the United States of America grows on. 

References taken from the writings of Historian, Allan Nevins, Professor of History, Columbia University.