Robber Barons In The Gilded Age
Benjamin Franklin once said “ He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money.” (Lifehack Quotes, P.1) This era of becoming “money hungry” began in the Gilded Age which occurred around 1877-1917. The industrialists of the 19th/20th century were Robber Barons who used questionable practices to acquire their wealth. Andrew Carnegie, The Vanderbilt family, JP Morgan, and John D Rockefeller were all Robber Barons because they only donated money to make themselves look better, they took advantage of their workers, and exploited other business companies. To put it in more honest terms, the “fortune” these Business Tycoons “made” is technically coming from their hard working, barely paid workers …show more content…
They made them work long nonsensical hours the average human being can withstand, paid them wages lower than the minimum wage at McDonald's, and abused their employees. For example, take JP Morgan who increased working hours and workplace fatalities keeping his wage at an all time low (history.co.uk). Morgan made his employees work so much that they started demanding laws to limit the workday to eight hours. Morgan’s wage was so low that the average worker barely earned a dollar a day. J.P. Morgan did not treat workers well and was the main cause of falling wages and not caring for the health and safety of the workforces of his companies, especially steelworkers and miners, who died while working at his facilities ( history.co.uk, P.1) Andrew Carnegie pushed his employees to work long, exhausting hours and put his support behind the plant manager Henry Frick who treated his workers atrociously. Henry even locked out workers and also hired pinkerton thugs to intimidate strikers. The working conditions in Carnegie's mill were so dangerous that twenty percent of deaths in Pittsburgh during the 1880’s were because of steelwork accidents. Andrew Carnegie did not play when it came to his wage. At one point, Carnegie lowered his wage by thirty percent which lead to a strike. What’s funny about this is Andrew Carnegie was always fighting for laborers and was always trying to protect their rights but little did we know he was violating his own rules. Interesting. Cornelius Vanderbilt mistreated his workers and assigned them long hours(faqla.com, P.1). This is not a shocker to most people since Cornelius Vanderbilt was known to be a ruthless character who was very greedy, arrogant, and basically abused everyone. “Cornelius Vanderbilt made a fortune off the sweat of immigrant labor and by monopolizing pretty much all travel east of chicago.” (Shannon Donnelly, P.1) What is surprising is that John D Rockefeller
Exploitation Of Industry Dbq
740 Words | 3 PagesThey wanted to strike about it but there was no strike allowed in the steel mill. They would threaten the workers poorly and have them go home with less than $2 to provide for their families. These documents show that Andrew Carnegie was a Robber Barron and wouldn't treat his workers right and would fight for what he wanted. He would scam his customers and pay his workers poorly. On the other hand, he is a good
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354 Words | 2 PagesWhen Cornelius Vanderbilt died he left his $100 million fortune to his son William Vanderbilt and they both had the same attitude. During the Gilded Age these big business and their owners were thought of as being Robber Barons or Captains of Industry. The poor working conditions that were provided, the corruption they led in government, and their use of child labor shows that they were Robber Barons. Children were used in labor to work a lot and most days of the week. Kids as young as 5 often worked as much as 12 to 14 hours a day for barely any pay.
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1082 Words | 5 PagesThey did not accept any competition and would go through great lengths to remain the main steel producers. This meant lowering production costs and paying lower wages. Their controversial decision to take down the AAISW (Amalgamated Association of Steel Workers) in 1892 led to the most horrific, catastrophic event in history. The workers were furious at getting lower wages and refused to work. Carnegie inconveniently leaves to his home in Scotland leaving Frick with all the trouble.
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798 Words | 4 PagesHis business practices also reflected this level of lack of concern for other people that later transformed into regret and attempts at redressing his wrongs. First-hand observers of his factories, specifically Hamlin Garland, said the noises produced by the machines were as loud and frightening as a lion’s roar and that the entire factory was filled with an awful stench, furthermore, the workers were likened to men going to war for the sake of their wives and children while only receiving a mere 14 cents an hour. Originally when the union rejected Carnegie’s attempt at lowering of wages, Carnegie greeted them sympathetically and amacibly receiving exactly what he wanted, the unions were silenced and he was viewed as a benevolent employer. Making attempts to be remembered as this person, he saw it necessary to use his money for the public good which would later be outlined in his book, the Gospel of Wealth. The preservation of this public image was successful, but behind the scenes, Carnegie was less sympathetic towards his employees and their
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338 Words | 2 PagesCarnegie’s views on the treatment of his workers are one of the things that he did that are considered unethical. For instance, during America’s depression in the early 1800’s, Carnegie’s workers were repeatedly asked to work long hours for little play; many unions resisted, particularly in the Homestead Strike of 1892. In the Homestead Strike, workers were angry about pay cuts and Carnegie’s
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1282 Words | 6 PagesThe industrial revolution brought many great inventions and innovations into the world, especially to America, the new world. The United States had many resources available and more importantly for Americans could utilize them for the nations gain. Many businessmen took advantage of this opportunity by building up their businesses and wealth to a standard that many people still look to as a standard of greatness. Many historians have their take on how the men of the industrial revolution changed not only America, but the rest of the world as well. Authors, Charles Morris, Matthew Josephson, and James Nuechterlein point out to historians that the world is full of many different angles and ideas that one can view regarding the Robber Barons or the successful men of the industrial revolution.
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884 Words | 4 PagesJ.P. Morgan was an example of this because he used his money to influence the government to stabilize American financial markets during several economic crises, but when he has done this, he has faced criticism of people saying he had too much power and was accused of manipulating the nation’s financial system for his own. The way the businessmen used their wealth to influence the government was very unfair because of how there were not as many people that were wealthy than very poor, so the wealthy people had a really high advantage on what they would do. In the article “Business of America” the author stated “They amassed fortunes that funded palatial mansions and elaborate lifestyles. In addition, they influenced the government toward policies that favored business” (Doc C). This quote meant what i said before, that when the businessmen used their money to bribe the government, they would do anything for men and make any decision they want just for themselves.
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677 Words | 3 PagesThe strikers eventually won causing the company to stay closed. Then five days later the governor in Pennsylvania sent soldiers to restore order and re-open the the plant. Two months later the strike was called off, Carnegie was criticized for Fricks actions. Carnegie did a lot to achieve his large empire, he fought competitors and made good business
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