How was socialism a response to capitalism

Socialism arose in the early 1900's at a time that the US was not in it's best economically. Of course, the economy was great, but only business owners and members of the government were making a lot of money. Common people of the US thought that if socialism were implemented in the country, everybody would get a share of the wealth, which is something they thought wasn't happening with capitalism.

assuming that by westerners you mean americans. that they were mean and controlling and abusive to its peasants.

explanation: