Oil Industry: John D. Rockefeller And Ellen Degeneres

From the years 1870-1937 John D. Rockefeller was a Captain of Industry and truly was an example of the idyllic American dream. He by his success as a Captain of Industry also set a precedent from then on about the way that other Captains of Industries made their wealth and ran their companies as well. Furthermore, John D. Rockefeller was a Captain of Industry because he built the Standard Oil Company and was a very generous philanthropist. John D. Rockefeller did generate lots of revenue and create many jobs in the United States but it also can be said that he took advantage of the less fortunate by paying them less and buying out competing businesses.

These 4 business men were examples of Captain of Industries. They were innovative in their businesses because they introduced new ideas. Eastman created the Eastman Kodak Company. The creation of the camera made it possible for the average person to own a camera. Rockefeller Slowly sold off all of his other interests and became convinced that refining oil would bring him great wealth. Oil would be converted to kerosene and he created the idea of being able to sell the waste products and make even more money. Morgan Created the world's first billion dollar corporation: U.S. Steel Corporation. Opening the eyes to others that you can make a lot of money in the oil business. All four of these business men are captains of industry because they open

In conclusion, J.P. Morgan is considered more of a “Captain of Industry” for today’s modern age than a robber baron. America would have been a whole different country without his contributions towards society, especially if he didn’t start the many companies and industries during his

Rockefeller. Rockefeller is known for being the co-founder of the Standard Oil Company, which dominated all of the oil industry and was labeled as the first great United States business trust. He started by creating an oil refinery and through horizontal integration he bought out his competition. By the 1870’s he started using the vertical integration method and bought the materials used to make the pipes for the use of the oil. The Company grew so much that he set up Headquarters all over the United States to control it. By 1882 a monopoly took over the oil businesses in search of dominance and power over the oil industry. Standard Oil replaced the kerosene distribution with its own vertical system by using tanks cars and wagons; thus improving the quality and availability of the kerosene product and also reducing its price for the public. Standard Oil’s method of beating their competition was by underselling the oil and secret transportation

Whether Robber Barons or Captains of Industry, the men who shaped the U.S. industrial age left their mark in both business and philanthropy.

During the late 1800’s and early 1900’s America began to industrialize the majority of the country bringing forth industrial giants like Andrew Carnegie and his steel company along with John D. Rockefeller and his Standard Oil Company. Howard Zinn, author of A People’s History of the United States, referred to these industrial giants as “robber barons.” A “robber baron” could be defined as an American capitalist who would do whatever in order to prosper. Carnegie and Rockefeller were considered “robber barons” due to the fact that they held oil and steel industry monopolies. Those monopolies gave them the ability to overpower other companies, robbing them of an opportunity to make their own fortunes, which limited the growth of a capitalist

The post-Civil War era was an era filled with political corruption, economic industrialization, and social urbanization largely due to an great surplus budget. With this being the case, the industrial capitalists, such as Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, and others, were leaders in this societal boom. However, it would be appropriate to say that most industrial capitalist could be accurately characterized as “robber barons” for they often unethical, self-interested, and corrupt.

During the post Civil War period many capitalists took over and ramped up industry. There were also individuals who took industries and monopolized them. Many historians who look back at these capitalists who shaped the post Civil War industry argue about whether they should be viewed as captains of industry who developed large industry, or as robber barons who used industry and monopolies to achieve wealth and take advantage of the working class. This essay will show why they were captains of industry.

In the late 1800’s America’s industry was on the rise, in this completely new era many factories were born and introduced to the American people. Many people also had to help build railways as well as many other ways to help transport or make goods, this would help build industrial America. But many people would face crucial conditions working in factory, it was unsafe for many people, even some young children who had to work faced a lot of injuries. Not only this, but many people would be out of work because the factories were taking over the work force. One of the most successful people in this time period was John D. Rockefeller, he owned 90% of refineries in America, he made his living by selling, transporting, and refining oil.

Howard Hughes and Preston Tucker both are entrepreneurs, but they both were led down different paths. One became a millionaire while the other went bankrupt. Unlike Howard Hughes, Preston Tucker did not become rich or have a legacy, instead Preston Tucker lost his factory due to all the stocks plummeting because of bad publicity and lawsuits. He also had to sell the remaining cars he had made to finance himself out of bankruptcy. Preston Tucker was an entrepreneur that had an idea that could have made millions, but he had failed because of his ethics and business skill. He promoted a car made from junk parts, could barely operate, and had malfunctions without telling people investing in his stock the truth which had really led to the lawsuit

Make copies of the worksheets and the pages with the sources. Ask students to study the background information on each source and the source itself. Then have them take notes on the sources using the worksheets. If students have access to a computer, have them review the primary sources with the ImageXaminer. You may also ask them to use its magnifying tools to more clearly focus their analysis.

George Eastman and John D. Rockefeller were both captains of industry due to being philanthropists and innovators. George Eastman was an innovator by reinventing how people can take pictures. Before Eastman recreated the camera it was expensive, timely, and very bulky. Only rich people could afford camera equimpment and it was hard to bring anywhere because of how heavy it was. After Eastman’s new camera came out almost everyone could afford one, it was lighter, and much faster. More companies started to get into the camera business and more people became interested in photography. John Rockefeller was an innovator because he made oil a more usable resource. For example oil could now be used for cars and other machines instead of coal, because of this whales stopped getting hunted for whale oil.

Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and J.P. Morgan all have something in common they’re well known for being wealthy businessmen in the late 19th century. Robber Barons and Captain of Industry are mostly known from the Gilded Age. Mark Twain called the late 19th century the “Gilded Age” because he was referring to this period being glittering on the surface but corrupt underneath (Overview of the Gilded Age, Digital History). Most of the businessmen during this day in time just wanted to help themselves and their businesses, which you could compare to today. However, these historical figures established a foundation for industrial advances, business development and technological advances in America today.

     True, Andrew Carnegie and John D Rockefeller may have been the most influential businessmen of the 19th century, but was the way they conducted business proper? To fully answer this question, we must look at the following: First understand how Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller changed the market of their industries. Second, look at the similarities and differences in how both men achieved domination. Third and lastly, Look at how both men treated their workers and customers in order achieve the most possible profit for their company.

   Oprah Winfrey is a great example that "ANYONE" can be successful with the free enterprise system. She has proven that you can start from the bottom and reach the top! Today Oprah's net worth is at $3 billion, she is among 400 of the richest people in America.