One of the first comprehensive Journalistic reports about the Child Sex Trade “The Maiden Tribute of Modern Babylon” was penned in 1885 by W.T Stead one of the fathers of investigative journalism. Interesting aside. W.T Stead is also noted as having died aboard the Titanic.
But yeah. Everything was sold as a product in the late 19th and early 20th century. Including people and Children. It was just carefully rebranded. To avoid ‘Unsavory’ accusations. It’s also the era of time most associated with laissez-faire Capitalism by many. And why so many on both sides of the political spectrum find the idea of lifting absolutely all restraints on Corporations and the market an iffy topic.
The era can mostly be summarized as the wealthy tossing money around, Bribing who they can, and grinding everyone else beneath their boots. Rockefeller, Carnegie, Vanderbilt, Frick, and so many others whose descendants trouble us today. Made their Fortunes in that time. It’s actually where the term ‘Gilded Age’ was coined.
Funnily enough Corporations actually fought wars of their own during this time frame. Somewhat ironically like a Cyberpunk dystopia. With Skirmishes on the Frontiers fought by Mercenaries employed by Railroad corporations. Seeking to delay each others progress and destroy small time competitors. Pinkertons and Private Security became wielded as Cudgels against each other’s and early attempts at forming Unions. Organized Crime erupted that seemingly only targeted certain Companies while leaving others alone.
The Coal Wars, Railroad Wars, Any of the Numerous Range Wars between Large Ranchers and Land Speculators and their smaller competition and communities unfortunate enough to be caught in the way.
Federal Troops, State Militia and National Guard skirmished with various groups. Including Native Tribes, Confederate Remnants in the form of the KKK, and were due to Bribes paid to ‘elected’ leaders often enough fighting against average Americans. Who for whatever reason had found themselves the target of the Business Classes Ire.
American Companies also toppled Governments in the Carribean and South and Central America like Dominos to ensure they could continue operations unmolested by locals getting silly ideas about Sovereignty and the idea that the majority of profits shouldn’t be lining pockets at the Corporate Headquarters or Washington D.C. Fruit Companies were notorious for this. Which is where the term ‘Banana Republic’ was coined. Also how we ended up with Hawaii.
Life wasn’t particularly pleasant, by our modern standards at least, for anyone who wasn’t either Wealthy or a Politician. Such a time was called the ‘Gilded Age’ at least in America for a reason. It was a profitable and luxurious time. For the top percentage of the country.
Indeed. And fought and won several conflicts with Colonial Powers independent of assistance from the British Military.
I was mostly keeping the focus to the U.S and U.S Corporations. Due to people being better acquainted with them.
People like to underestimate the amount of power Corporations and Companies could and can wield. And have wielded in the past. Hell Switzerland was essentially more a giant PMC for several hundred years contracting men to dozens of countries, Companies, and private interests. Than it was a nation state.
Or like to pretend some idea of Fairness, Excessive Cost, or Competition or something similar would prevent a company like McDonalds from forming a McDeathsquad of hired guns to literally torch the competition. If they felt it necessary. And would suffer no legal repercussions for doing so.
One of the first comprehensive Journalistic reports about the Child Sex Trade “The Maiden Tribute of Modern Babylon” was penned in 1885 by W.T Stead one of the fathers of investigative journalism. Interesting aside. W.T Stead is also noted as having died aboard the Titanic.
But yeah. Everything was sold as a product in the late 19th and early 20th century. Including people and Children. It was just carefully rebranded. To avoid ‘Unsavory’ accusations. It’s also the era of time most associated with laissez-faire Capitalism by many. And why so many on both sides of the political spectrum find the idea of lifting absolutely all restraints on Corporations and the market an iffy topic.
The era can mostly be summarized as the wealthy tossing money around, Bribing who they can, and grinding everyone else beneath their boots. Rockefeller, Carnegie, Vanderbilt, Frick, and so many others whose descendants trouble us today. Made their Fortunes in that time. It’s actually where the term ‘Gilded Age’ was coined.
Funnily enough Corporations actually fought wars of their own during this time frame. Somewhat ironically like a Cyberpunk dystopia. With Skirmishes on the Frontiers fought by Mercenaries employed by Railroad corporations. Seeking to delay each others progress and destroy small time competitors. Pinkertons and Private Security became wielded as Cudgels against each other’s and early attempts at forming Unions. Organized Crime erupted that seemingly only targeted certain Companies while leaving others alone.
The Coal Wars, Railroad Wars, Any of the Numerous Range Wars between Large Ranchers and Land Speculators and their smaller competition and communities unfortunate enough to be caught in the way.
Federal Troops, State Militia and National Guard skirmished with various groups. Including Native Tribes, Confederate Remnants in the form of the KKK, and were due to Bribes paid to ‘elected’ leaders often enough fighting against average Americans. Who for whatever reason had found themselves the target of the Business Classes Ire.
American Companies also toppled Governments in the Carribean and South and Central America like Dominos to ensure they could continue operations unmolested by locals getting silly ideas about Sovereignty and the idea that the majority of profits shouldn’t be lining pockets at the Corporate Headquarters or Washington D.C. Fruit Companies were notorious for this. Which is where the term ‘Banana Republic’ was coined. Also how we ended up with Hawaii.
Life wasn’t particularly pleasant, by our modern standards at least, for anyone who wasn’t either Wealthy or a Politician. Such a time was called the ‘Gilded Age’ at least in America for a reason. It was a profitable and luxurious time. For the top percentage of the country.
FYI: The British East India Company was the worlds largest mercenary force for 270 years, all controlled by the City of London.
Indeed. And fought and won several conflicts with Colonial Powers independent of assistance from the British Military.
I was mostly keeping the focus to the U.S and U.S Corporations. Due to people being better acquainted with them.
People like to underestimate the amount of power Corporations and Companies could and can wield. And have wielded in the past. Hell Switzerland was essentially more a giant PMC for several hundred years contracting men to dozens of countries, Companies, and private interests. Than it was a nation state.
Or like to pretend some idea of Fairness, Excessive Cost, or Competition or something similar would prevent a company like McDonalds from forming a McDeathsquad of hired guns to literally torch the competition. If they felt it necessary. And would suffer no legal repercussions for doing so.