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Captain Of Industry In The Gilded Age

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There were many big businessmen in the Gilded Age, some used their wealth to help the country, others did not. In the Gilded Age, there was exponential economic growth: increase in population, better transportation, new technology, and new business ideas. Entrepreneurs thrived in this time, these businessmen were thought of a captains of industry or robber barons. Most people thought that they were captains of industry because of the good they did for the country. Entrepreneurs such as John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and Henry Ford all helped their economy in some way.

John D. Rockefeller helped the economy out by making his oil company expand. By expanding his company, Rockefeller gave many people jobs, and gave them kerosene which lit their homes at night. …show more content…

Ford increased his workers pay from 2.34 dollars an hour to 5 dollars an hour, raising the bar for the industry. Henry revolutionized the world by making it easier for people to get around. With Ford mass producing his cars it took no time to make them, so he could keep the price low and more people could afford them. Henry Ford wanted to revolutionize the world with the horseless carriage, he did so without “Cutting any ones throat” and was head of the first car company.

Captains of industry of this time helped out the working man, educational causes, and scientific causes. John D. Rockefeller gave the working man jobs for a long period of time, and donated over half a billion dollars to educational and scientifical purposes. Andrew Carnegie donated 350 million dollars to build libraries and gave away organs to churches. Henry Ford revolutionized the world by making it easier for people to get around more efficiently. What these men have done to help out their country is why the are perceived as captains of

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