The late 19th century was full of growth, production, and business. People were craving power and seemed to achieve this through any means necessary. Consequently, a new business elite formed consisting of the richest men alive. The way in which these individuals acquired all their profits is something very contradictory even over one-hundred years later. Some historians characterize these businessmen as “robber barons” who used extreme methods to control and concentrate wealth and power, and being supported by multiple sources, this statement is justified but only to some extent.
During the 19th century, industrialization impacted the United States in many way. Industrialists, like John D. Rockefeller, owned or were involved in management of an industry. At the time, these agents were considered a “Robber Baron,” while others were considered a “Captain of Industry.” However, many were considered good because they were philanthropists. John D. Rockefeller was born on July 8, 1839, in Richford, New York.
During the late 19th century, there was a growth in industrialization. This brought new opportunities for the poor and the rich. For example, Carnegie helped build the steel industry in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, which made him one of the richest man in the world. As Carnegie gained more wealth, he questioned who money should be given to. Carnegie was both a Robber Baron and a Captain of Industry.
The actions of George Eastman, John D. Rockefeller, and Andrew Carnegie had a positive impact on society due to their philanthropic acts which, in turn, made these significant businessmen Captain of Industry. For example, George Eastman gave generously to charities and donated $2.5 million for a dental clinic for children who could not afford their own treatment because he believed that people with a good smile were more successful in life. Therefore, Eastman was a Captain of Industry due to these philanthropic acts of him giving away his money to better the less fortunate so that they had a more successful life, which positively impacted their lives and as a whole, he benefited society. In addition, John D. Rockefeller contributed largely
Robber Barons and Captains of Industry Some might believe that the businessmen of the Gilded age are robber barons because of how some of them treated their workers and spent their money. The businessmen of the Gilded Age were captains of industry because of the impact that they made on the country. Carnegie, Rockefeller, Morgan, and Vanderbilt all have done things that can identify them as captains of industry. These businessmen gave their time and effort to help the economy grow.
Bill Gates was a wealthy man who might have been greedy and only in for the money. He was also a generous man who employed a lot of people and donated $40 million. Most revered critics believe that Cornelius Vanderbilt was a Robber Baron. For example, he was never known to engage in philanthropic activities
J.D. Rockefeller was another very wealthy Gilded Age businessman. He
Andrew Carnegie was one of the most famous and wealthiest American industrialist during the Industrial Age. He was a robber baron who made a fortune in the steel industry and applied vertical integration to his business. Carnegie contradicted his views as a robber baron because he supported, but destroyed many unions. This made many of his views unethical.
John D. Rockefeller gave away $540 million dollars before his death at the age of 97. With this money he created two, of the world's greatest research companies and helped pull the American South out of poverty. Without Rockefeller’s gracious donations to our country through education, medical, and donations to help our country, he most definitely was a Captain of Industry which helped our country get to where we are today. Captain of Industry is a fancy term of saying that this person has helped our country thrive and get to where we are today. John D. Rockefeller is a prime example of a great leader and a captain of industry, without him we would not have the successful oil business we have today.
There are many ways Andrew Carnegie was a robber baron, yes. Yet, he always did things to help the community grow and helped people. In document 5 Carnegie shows a chart shows his foundation and the amount of money it donates to different things and people. In 2005 his foundation was giving out about $100,000,000 a year to education.
The productions that these men were in charge of are still big corporations today. They are still very important and sufficient in the economy. If these men had failed with their ideas, imagine how different our society would be today. Imagine what we would be lacking, if not for this business. We would certainly be lacking money.
Sr. John Davison Rockefeller,born on July 8, 1839 - May 23, 1937 is immensely acknowledged as a illustrious,astute, and sovereign American entrepreneur and philanthropist. Sir John Davison Rockefeller was the founder of the standard oil company, which eventually monopolized the oil industry. This prompted an exceptional result of him leaving a successful impact on the American industrial revolution. Throughout numerous periods of time it has been frequently asserted by other parties that John D. Rockefeller was in fact not a captain of industry,but instead was distinguished as a robber baron. However, there is a countless quantity of evidence to distinctly prove that John Davison Rockefeller is in fact a captain of industry that left a highly
Carnegie was not a hero, because a hero does a deed selflessly, but he thought a lot about himself. 184,400,000 dollars was spent on big-name corporations and associations that would honor him by naming a meaningful belonging after him (Doc C). Carnegie was a man who wanted to feed his ego but should have donated money to help the community, not make himself known. Andrew Carnegie was not a true hero. Many may say, going from rags to riches makes Carnegie a hero.
The late nineteenth century was a pivotal moment in American history. During this time, the Industrial Revolution transformed the nation, railroads had dissipated all throughout the country, and economic classes began to form, separating the wealthy from the poor. One of the wealthiest men of this generation was Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish immigrant who fled to America to make millions off the railroad, oil and even steel businesses. Carnegie is considered one of the richest men in history, and even with all that wealth he decided to give back to the community. As a matter of fact, Carnegie donated most of his funds to charities, universities and libraries in his last few years.
He has also donated over 50 billion dollars to charity since 1994 (Fortune.com). John D. Rockefeller donated 540 million dollars to charity in his lifetime but the Rockefeller foundation continues to use their wealth for philanthropic purposes (philanthropyroundtable.com). Like Bill Gates, Rockefeller also used a portion of his money to support medical research, In fact, he founded the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research in 1901 (philanthropyroundtable.com). They both also spent money trying to improve education.
