--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was against this backdrop that the…" description: "\"“It was against this backdrop that the great fortunes were made, fortunes which allowed the first families to dominate the society of that era. Theodor..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6f/david-halberstam-9032_family_it-was-against-this-backdrop-that-the-gr_2837798.png" --- # It was against this backdrop that the great fortunes were… ![“It was against this backdrop that the great fortunes were made, fortunes which allowed the first families to dominate the society of that era. Theodore Parker, a crusading minister in the 1840s, wrote of the Lowells and these other great families: “This class is the controlling one in politics. It…” quote by David Halberstam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6f/david-halberstam-9032_family_it-was-against-this-backdrop-that-the-gr_2837798.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6f/david-halberstam-9032_family_it-was-against-this-backdrop-that-the-gr_2837798.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6f/david-halberstam-9032_family_it-was-against-this-backdrop-that-the-gr_2837798.png) > ““It was against this backdrop that the great fortunes were made, fortunes which allowed the first families to dominate the society of that era. Theodore Parker, a crusading minister in the 1840s, wrote of the Lowells and these other great families: “This class is the controlling one in politics. It mainly enacts the laws of this state and the nation; makes them serve its turn . . . It can manufacture governors, senators, judges to suit its purposes as easily as it can manufacture cotton cloth. This class owns the machinery of society . . . ships, factories, shops, water privileges.” They were also families which had a fine sense of protecting their own position, and they were notorious for giving large grants to Harvard College, which was their college, and just as notorious for doing very little for public education.”” [David Halberstam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-halberstam/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Powerful families dominate politics and society, shaping laws and institutions for their benefit. **In simple terms:** Elite families control political and economic systems. Key Takeaway Question elite influence. Themes power elitism politics Mood critical analytical Type historical political When to use this quote - policy analysis - historical research - activism Key Concepts Social stratification institutional control Questions to Reflect On - How can democracy limit elite power? - What reforms are effective? A Different Perspective Elite control can be challenged by reform. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Class Owns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class-owns-3703115/) [Dominate Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dominate-society-631738/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Great Fortunes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-fortunes-1490494/) [Lowells Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lowells-great-3703117/) [Privileges Families](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/privileges-families-3703116/) [Public education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-education/) [The-wealthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-wealthy-189308/) ## Related quotes > [“an aristocracy come to power, convinced of its own disinterested quality, believing itself above both petty partisan interest and material greed. 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