Andrew Carnegie: My Status As A Robber Baron

In the late 19th Century, when industrialism became part of the American economy system, many wealthy entrepreneurs that controlled oil, gas, and coal industries formed monopolies and trust to ensure that there were no small business to form competition. Some of the wealthy industrialists, such as Andrew Carnegie, were considered philanthropists due to donating and acting largesse towards the lower-class citizens within the American society. It’s controversial to determine whether or not the wealthy businessmen that controlled oil, gas, and coal industries were “Robber barons” or “Captains of Industry”. The following documents will confirm with evidence that these wealthy businessmen were “Robber Barons” within the 19th Century Industrialist

Throughout history there have been countless individuals who have come along and helped shape America into the manner it is today. Some of these individuals may have initiated noble contributions that have caused them to receive wonderful praises even after they are long deceased. On the other hand, there are other countless individuals whose contributions were not quite as great and caused extensive permanent unscrupulous effects on society. One of the individuals whose impression might have not been the greatest at one point, but who ultimately did contribute significantly to civilization is Andrew Carnegie.

A Review of The Myth of the Robber Barons a book by Burton Folsom JR.

Andrew Carnegie is a robber baron and not a captain of industry. He got rich because of steel profits. The article quoted, “Carnegie drive for efficiency, cost. and control over their own labor.” (Steel Business)

Who wants to be a millionaire? The answers simple, apparently all of the bright men within the nineteenth century during the attractive booming economy. Whereas, the Gilded Age struck the people after the Civil War and the revolution of the railways brought with it, a spur of industrialization. The markets for manufactured goods were stimulated, more commerce was beckoned with foreign and domestic investors, and even the process of raw materials going to the factories was sped. Although sounding like a luxurious period for all, the main beneficiaries became know as the robber barons as they manipulated the public and business to their needs, established the visible social classes, and used laborers with little discretion for age.

Although Andrew Carnegie has some conflicts dealing with his workers’ salary and the condition of his companies, he left a huge impact how American steel industry. During the 1800s, Carnegie adopted the Bessemer process and brought it to America. The Bessemer is a special technique for converting iron into the puer, stoner material we called steel. Within twelve months, Carnegie was able to construct America’s largest steel mill called the J. Edgar Thomson Works. Carnegie’s outstanding effort in the industry made many construction happened, such as the steel rails, the steel bridges, and the steel I-beams. Furthermore, his heroic personality continues as he give back to his country by helping out schools, libraries, and buildings in America.

The Gilded Age after the Civil War caused the American economy to grow drastically during the 1870s. Due to the manufacturing business spreading across the nation, entrepreneurs such as Andrew Carnegie, J.P Morgan and John D. Rockefeller were considered the “captains of industry” who helped grow the economy. But, there were some who believed these entrepreneurs were “robber barons,” as people who worked in the manufacturing business were treated badly, underpaid, and forced to work long hours in dangerous circumstances. Although these so called “captains of industries” may have helped the economy when it needed them the most, they perfectly represented the term given to their era, the Gilded Age, where their monopolies and gold exterior came from their dangerous and “robber baron” factory working.

As industry became prominent in the United States in the late 1800s, society and economy began to change. With these changes rose the capitalists, wealthy industrialists who ran the country from and through their factories and companies. As these men rose to power and the upper and lower class separated farther than ever before, questions about their integrity arose. While the actions of the capitalists had beneficial effects throughout the nation, citizens of industrial America not only knew of, but experienced the effects of the capitalists’ selfish intentions. This unfair treatment and inconsideration of the lower class earned these industrialists the nickname, “robber barons.”

Andrew Carnegie, known for his wealth amassed from the steel industries, introduces his views of an "inevitable" wealth gap, as well as his opinion as to how philanthropists should distribute their money. Carnegie himself, distributed 90 percent of his own wealth before his death in the early 20th century. The man's capital was donated to universities, standing behind Carnegie's assertion that money should be given to causes that alleviate the "burden" of the wealth gap between the rich and the poor. However, Carnegie does explain that whatever the American people do, the gap is "inevitable," as a just consequence of capitalism. Throughout his article, the philanthropists explains that in a capitalist America, while wealth inequality is prone

The “rags to riches” story is a term of reverence respecting the few in society who sacrificed the little they had and emerged successful. These doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and other professionals inspire people of all socioeconomic levels by transforming nothing into something. Jay-Z, George Soros, Steve Jobs – these are names culture holds with great respect. One “rags to riches” story not many Americans have heard of pushes the limits of mental capacity. This man followed the poor-to-rich path and succeeded to such high degree that he, in turn, defined the very essence of this characteristic. Once a poor boy, Andrew Carnegie transformed the limited resources available to him into tools that aided his journey in becoming one of the richest, most successful men in all of history. Carnegie began his journey as an immigrant to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from Scotland. His family sought work, as their former weaving business had been destroyed by the Industrial Revolution (“Andrew Carnegie” American Experience). This experience as a poor worker created the drive that led him to become one of the wealthiest men of all time through his massive steel company, the Carnegie Steel Company. In conjunction with his economic success, the tycoon used the fruits of his leadership in the steel industry to become the “father of American philanthropy” (“Meet Andrew Carnegie”). As accomplished the man became, the

Noteworthy. Andrew Carnegie managed to overtake the business world by storm single handedly. During the Gilded Age, were the economy grew and the rich flourished, he managed to develop wealth and prosper from steel. Despite his actions being genius, they were far from heroic. Carnegie should be considered an eminent business man. Andrew Carnegie, although not a heroic figure, is a legend to the business world due to his innovative pioneering, business techniques, and leadership expertise.

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.

One of the readings that stood out to me the most was on Andrew Carnegie. An idea he believed in was that the rich should give back. I think this is something we deal with today with the 1% vs the 99%. I think it’s very admirable to give away a lot of your fortune to those who could use the help. His idea of giving to those who would use the help to better themselves and reach their full potential through building libraries is a great idea. We’ve all heard the saying “give a man a fish he eats for a day, teach a man to fish he eats for a lifetime.” Give people the tools to become successful and self satisfied is better than offering them temporary help which will end up putting them back in the same misfortune.

Andrew Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth is an informative essay on philanthropist idealistic notion for the money you have with you. His understanding of the excess money that you has should be given to others for better use. Of the three options Carnegie stated in the Gospel of Wealth I believe that your money should be given to the people while you are living.

Andrew Carnegie should be imprinted in human story as a robber baron due to the ghastly conditions his workers wrought under and the heinous worker-employer relations with his workers. Andrew Carnegie’s horrific worker-employer relations often led to problems between the two. Andrew Carnegie felt no compassion for his workers in the factories. His assistant, under the approval of Andrew Carnegie, surrounded the workers with armed guards and tried to use the Pinkerton guards to forcefully work their way into the factory. He even had the Pinkerton guards forcefully lock the strikers out of the fence surrounding the factory.