The Gilded Age : Robber Barons And Captain Of Industry

There were many conflicting views during the Gilded Age. Some viewed those at the top of the socio-economic ladder as robber-barons due to the vast amount of wealth that never seemed to extend to the workers in terms of salary or safety. However, some called them captains of industries, those who bettered the economy and the lives of workers. These people had an enormous positive impact on the country’s businesses and philanthropy on American economy and society. They transformed America into the most powerful industrial nation, leading the country’s charge by building powerful industries.

This investigation will assess whether the industrial leaders, such as, Andrew Carnegie, John Pierpont Morgan and John Davison Rockefeller were perceived as captains of industry or robber barons. In order to evaluate this claim, the investigation will analyze their major contributions to American Society; how they treated their workers in the factory; and why people questioned their honesty because of the techniques they used to eliminate their competitors. Mostly secondary sources were used, as well as some primary sources. Two of the sources used in this essay are The Robber Barons: The Great American Capitalists by Matthew Josephson and Wisdom from the Robber Barons: Enduring Business Lessons from Rockefeller, Morgan, and the First Industrialists by George D. Smith which will be evaluated for their origins, purposes, values, and limitations.

In the 19th century, the Gilded age was this period of time when America looked like this massive productive country. What people do not know was that in the inside they were this suffering country that had massive poverty and thousands of people without jobs. America was filled with industrialists which are also called Robber Barons. Robber Barons were these people who basically stole fortunes by having their employees work 12 hour days, 7 days a week and getting paid about 15 cents an hour. Andrew Carnegie was a really wealthy businessman who made steel. Carnegie made millions of dollars but in the end he still paid his workers very little. His employees worked long hard days and at the end of the day they got paid hardly nothing. These workers also worked in bad conditions and some of the workers were kids and they were having them do some of the really hard dangerous work. According to a US history author “They received no health benefits, no vacation, and suffered from periodic layoffs because of downturns in the business cycle( The Gilded age pg. 1) The 19th century during the Gilded age most of the big business men where these guys who had massive amounts of money and yet they pay their workers really low wages with bad conditions.

The Gilded age was run by big business. It was the time of industrialization, little to no government intervention, and a lot of money for a small group of people. It’s hard to say if many of the prominent business men of this time were really robber barons or captains of industry. Andrew Carnegie might have donated most of his money to worthy causes but he also refused to give his workers better conditions and pay despite his yearly income of $25 million compared to their $380. Rockefeller likewise gave away a large part of his fortune but also engaged in dirty business practices. This fine line between being a robber baron or captain of industry might be common among the businessmen of the Gilded Age but what about our businessmen of today?

In the Gilded Age, big business controlled most aspects of everyday life. As the United States was amid a time of economic growth, big business was growing as well-- contributing to that economic growth, all the while, gaining control and dominance across the nation. With such an influencing power, big business cared less to think about anyone else other than themselves. Due to this corrupt possession of power big business possessed, legislation was passed in their favor with the government wrapped around their fingers. The economy, politics and the lives of most Americans were affected negatively when big business reigned supreme.

To what extent is it justified to characterize the industrial leaders of the 1865–1900 era as either “robber barons” or “industrial statesmen”?

The Gilded age was a time of deception and industry. Many businesses tried to make it to the top but most failed. Very few went on to become a huge success, such as Carnegie’s steel production. Being a captain of industry is a big importance, and even though people may not like your methods, they work for you and your business.

The Gilded Age was the last three decades of the nineteenth century, when America’s industrial economy exploded generating opportunities for individuals but also left many workers struggling for survival. With the many immigrants, skilled and unskilled, coming to America the labor system is becoming flooded with new employees. During this period, the immigrants, including the Italians, were unskilled and the skilled workers were usually American-born. There was also a divide in the workers and the robber barons. Robber barons were American capitalist who acquired great fortunes in the last nineteenth century, usually ruthlessly. There was much turmoil throughout the business and labor community. Two major organizations, the Knights of

Throughout American industrialization, large industries were run by some of the richest men in history. These men got the nickname “robber barons” due to their creation of large monopolies by making questionable business and government activities, and by taking advantage of their workers to succeed. But in The Myth of the Robber Barons by Burton W. Folsom, he argues against these claims, and he takes a deeper look into some of America’s richest and most successful men. By specifically looking at Cornelius Vanderbilt, John D. Rockefeller, James J. Hill, the Scranton family and many more, Folsom believed that these so-called robber barons were actually entrepreneurs with a drive to succeed, leading to an improvement in American lives.

From 1870 to 1900, the Gilded Age brought about major change in the industry and economy of the United States. Commonly known for the new technologies and inventions of the time, the Gilded Age often brings to mind pictures of booming industries and riches. However, like the term itself, the Gilded Age was much different than it appeared. Widespread poverty and hardships were common in the late 1800s, and many people suffered at the hands of the robber barons. During the Gilded Age, elitists harmed millions through greed, unfair pay, and a dangerous workplace.

The Gilded Age is an appropriate name for this period. On the surface, everything seemed to be wonderful. It was wonderful for certain groups of people like J.P Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, and Andrew Carnegie. They had huge fortunes which they achieved through corruption and government paybacks. They exploited the poorest of the people and the immigrants who were seeking a better life in America. These people did the back breaking work so these rich men could amass their fortunes. In the meantime, these poor people were living squalor and filth and barely surviving. As these rich men flaunted their wealth in so many ways.

As we move closer to the 2016 national elections in the United States, claims of a growing wealth gap between the supposed “haves” and “have-nots” becomes more pronounced. Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton even went so far as to caution us that we are advancing towards a repeat of the “Gilded Age of the robber barons”. The insinuation in this claim creates a perception that there are a growing number of individuals within American society using questionable methods to increase their wealth, all at the expense of the not so fortunate. So-called culprits of these activities are often referred to as the “top 1 percent”; a term gaining a strong foothold in our current vernacular. Although the existence of an income inequality gap is evident, subjectively misinterpreted data is the primary culprit driving the perception that the income inequality gap is expanding.

Were these men Captain Of Industry or Robber Baron? They were Captain Of Industry because all these men donated money. Since these name donated money they were called philanthropists. For example Eastman donated millions of dollars to variety of causes,M.I.T eventually reached $20 million. Also Rockefeller set up the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, his gifts totaled up to $50 million by 1930's. Last but not least we have Carnegie. Carnegie was a philanthropists because he gave money for museums and concert halls. Also he donated money to Carnegie hall in NYC. Because all the men donated money, they became famous and still have their buildings today.

The industrial leaders, Robber Barons, of the 19th century are men who are very respected and admired. Andrew Carnegie was a boy from Scotland who came over to this country with nothing. He continued to save and work his way up in the industry until he had complete control over the steel industry. John D. Rockefeller was also one who came from an ordinary home. When he saw an opportunity, he took it, along with the risks. He came to control the oil industry. Another man that took many opportunities to expand and grow was Cornelius Vanderbilt. These men saw what they needed to do to become successful and they did it. These men's' lives reflected the

In the late 1800’s the four businessmen had a huge positive impact on society they were all philanthropists.(People who donated lots of money to others and charity).All four businessmen George Eastman J.P. Morgan John D. Rockefeller, and Andrew Carnegie were all Captains of Industry.