The Second Industrial Revolution began as an explosive change for the United States. With it, a revolutionary period of economic success was met with a muster of industrial development and capitalist fervor. Businesses flourished as manufacturing and labor forces escalated to phenomenal proportions, the innovations of technology had placed their landmark on society with the development of universal electricity, and the United States had gained the opportunity for a more harmonious union as both industry and agriculture now had use of a connected national market and the force to compete within the global market. With government support, the expansion of the railroad and the implement of fusing the transcontinental lines had finally connected the four corners of the country. Unfortunately, as the spirit of industrialization grew, so did greed and one of the most destructive shifts in American values that has ever occurred in the history of the United States. With businesses being so profitable, a new class of society grew in abundance, willing to step on the backs of the poor laborer in the hopes of unending wealth. The birth of the monopoly lead to the rise of corporations, and the concentration of economic fortune fell into the hands of only the few. The railroad, the greatest monopoly of all, brought grave consequences to the revolution of competition, as those who were able to meet the standards of the railroad, or were willing to manipulate to gain, were successful. A passion for money took to the hearts of the American people. The poor became poorer and those of the semi-skilled, and unskilled, laboring classes were subjugated to terrifying work conditions, as money was vital to the American way of life, no matter how little of it you had. Immigrants, Indians, and black laborers suffered at the hands of the white "elite" along with others who sought to redefine and reform the imposition of a new era of "slavery." However, even with revolt after revolt, the division of class, race, and wealth would prevail in violence and oppression. Social Darwinism became the norm, consumerism the way of life, and the right to democratic freedom a never-ending battle as the majority of Americans pushed for Progressivism, a distant dream of equality.