We've already established your historical knowledge doesn't precede 1939, mate.
Capitalism on its own does not give people opportunity; in a vacuum it is just a vehicle for increasing the gains of property owners while incurring minimal losses. What actually -does- increase opportunity is regulation to ensure that people are able to compete in the system and to encourage a high velocity of money.I never said it's perfect, as no system is, but it's damn better than anything else produced. It gives anyone the opportunity to make a decent living. But hey, let's ignore anyone that's doing just well, and focus on the only the supremely rich. Fuck that business guy making a modest salary but staying afloat just fine, let's punish them because there are a few people who are extraordinarily rich.
So basically, the advent of the mixed market economy that characterises the developed world is what lifts people out of poverty.