So much of America's power comes from its size: it is one the largest countries on Earth by population and area, and is rich in natural resources and human capital. It is also in many ways an island nation; because it faces no major threats on its borders, it is freer to project power globally.
The federal government supported the interests of big businesses over the interests of labor unions.
Unions became popular during the Gilded Age in the US during an industrial boom. The government supported the owners of business during this period and practiced free market capitalism.
During the Gilded Age, the government took a policy of free-market or laissez-faire capitalism. This means the government did not interfere or create regulation of the economic system. They tended to support the practices of corporations because they were wealthy and had power. Unions demanded higher wages, government regulation, and better working conditions. All of these demands went against the thinking of the time and would have cost the government money and the favor of the powerful in the country.
