十九世纪下半叶，南北战争（1861－1865）后，美国开始了自由资本主义向垄断资本主义的过渡，经济发展呈现高速增长态势。伴随着经济的不断发展，大工业企业的成长壮大，美国社会涌现出一批有影响的举足轻重的大财团和大企业家。其中主要的代表人物有：铁路业的科尼利厄斯·范 In the second half of the 19th century, after the Civil War (1861-1865), the United States began the transition from liberal capitalism to monopoly capitalism, and the economic development showed rapid growth. With the continuous development of the economy, large industrial enterprises have grown and expanded. A large number of influential, large consortia and large entrepreneurs have emerged in American society. The main representatives are: Cornelius Van of the railway industry