Vanderbilt and the Gilded age

Cornelius Vanderbilt was born in New York in 1794. At a young age he showed perseverance and other traits of a successful entrepreneur. In 1817 Thomas Gibbons hire Vanderbilt to operate his ferry in New York waters. it was at this time when a monopoly was held on the waters by another man who ran his ferry named Ogden. thus created the Gibbons Vs. Ogden case. While he was running Gibbons ferry he learned the operations of operating and running a business, he took these skills and started his own ferry business that would soon become a very powerful business in which competitors didn't stand a chance against. With his success in the ferry business he was able to become head of managing of the connecting of railroads. He went on to make the New York, Boston, and Providence railroad. Because of his extreme wealth and influence he was asked by president Lincoln during the Civil War to donate his Biggest steamboat to be used in the war. At the end of his age he became a philanthropist, one of his most know donations was to build the Vanderbilt University in Tennessee. His legacies will remain as not only as one of the wealthiest people in US history but as a leading businessman in american history. 

YMCA and its significance to the progressive era

The YMCA which stands for Young Mens Christian Association was started in London in 1844. What started off for christian men to become more active and practice religious activities now has over 2,700 facilities in just the U.S alone and engages 9 million youth and 13 million adults. The facilities consist of a gym, basketball courts, soccer fields, usually a pool, track, playground. To be able to get into these facilities you have to get a membership which is a $100 joining fee and around a $50 monthly fee. Not only does YMCA help people become more active and more religious,they fund raise for many religious organisations and do humanitarian work as well. The YMCA played a big role in protecting social welfare and to restore the role of faith in people. It was also important because it motivated people to exercise more and become healthier. this started the Second Clean Living movement