Andrew Carnegie: A Man In America's History

Introduction

Andrew Carnegie was a man who started from nothing and worked his way up to be one of the most important men in America’s history; a man who helped shape America. From a boy born into a modest life, to a man who industrialized the steel industry and made millions, he is a textbook example of a rags-to-riches story.

Being one of the most important people of his time, he created a steel powerhouse and brought America and the world to new standards. Even with all the obstacles and mistakes, he became such and gained a mass fortune, remaining one of the wealthiest men to have lived.

Body

Andrew Carnegie was born on November 25, 1835, in Dunfermline,

Scotland. Furthermore, into a modest family, he was born, with his father, Will, a handloom weaver, and his mother, Margaret, a sewing worker for local shoemakers. When Carnegie was 13, he and his family moved to America, to Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. With the move, he began working on a cotton factory as a bobbin boy, earning $1.20 weekly.

Later, he took on a few different occupations, including working as a telegraph operator in 1851. In 1853, he took the job of working on the

A labor strike broke out among the workers of the Homestead in 1892, due to production and rigor being increased with wages being cut; they refused to work. Frick wanted to break up the union and being determined to do so, locked the workers out of the plant. He called in 300 Pinkerton armed guards, who were a private security guard agency, and a bloody battle ensued, ending with at least 10 men dead. Carnegie was away on vacation in Scotland, but he had confidence in Frick to handle the situation. Many people held him accountable for Frick’s actions, regardless of him being away. The massacre damaged Carnegie’s reputation and the working conditions of the laborers was not improved and they were ultimately