The parties of America remained separated from each other, causing most of these movements only to function at a local level. These reformers were setting forth new ideas that attempted to solve problems related to American society and these efforts were to greatly influence the ensuing Progressive Movement. Even the radical Populists had merely a rural and providential influence and faced the continuous problem of being unable to obtain the necessary support of both political parties that they would need in order to be successful. None of these reform movements were able to become powerful enough to have a great influence upon America. The problems however, continued to live on: How could America deal with poverty, corruption, industrialization, and other social and political changes of the late nineteenth century?.
One of the greatest changes that had occurred during the nineteenth century was the rise of enormous businesses. Much of the newly emerged wealth of the nation was in the hands of these corporations. They were rich, powerful, and threatened individuals" equality of economic opportunity. These "Big Businesses" would take over their competitors and began to combine all phases of production within their operation, known as vertical integration. By the 1880's, these large companies were dominating the production of many goods. Many of these companies became trusts, in which stockholders deposited their shares to trustees, who controlled the consolidation of companies. This would make companies even larger and more powerful. Individuals were becoming less important. "The fate of each person was now to a large degree determined by distant forces which he or she neither saw, understood, nor controlled." With the power and size of these businesses, there was no space left for smaller enterprises. Many efforts were made to pass anti-trust legislation before the twentieth century, but little, if any efforts provided the necessary answer.