The world is constantly evolving. Time periods come and go, but certain ones stay with us and are remembered greatly. Of such, the Gilded Age is one of those few that made a very large impact on our world today. The Gilded Age is the period in American history from around 1870-1900’s where the United States population and economy grew quickly in a short amount of time causing extensive amounts of slave work and wealthy individuals to live pretentious lifestyles. During this period, John D. Rockefeller, The founder of the Standard Oil Company, became one of the world’s well known wealthiest individuals and a major philanthropist. In total, he controlled some 90 percent of the nation’s refineries and pipelines In America. Rockefeller didn’t …show more content…
Rockefeller was in fact a villain, he is also thought of as a hero to the Gilded Age because of the few good acts he did. During the Gilded Age, oil was very expensive and difficult to acquire.Overall, only the wealthy and well privileged had much access to it, but “Standard Oil developed the world’s largest oil refineries and drove down the cost of refining oil,” (World Book, Rockefeller). With Rockefeller as the head of the company, he was able to expand access of oil to those who didn't have as much money and produce large amounts of oil for little cost. With his new ideas and methods, he was able to cut down oil cost and produce more of it more efficiently and quicker than that of the past. Due to becoming one of the wealthiest individuals in the United States, Rockefeller had a substantial amount of money and “He gave away about $540 million during his lifetime. He gave most of his money to the public through foundations he established himself and through other organizations,” (World Book, Rockefeller). These other foundations, which were mainly universities, highly profited and grew off of these generous donations from Rockefeller. They are still functioning today and Rockefellers impact on them has never been forgotten. As a result, John D. Rockefeller was thought of to be a hero rather than a villain. Besides all this good he may have done, his selfish acts can’t go unseen and unnoticed from his action.
John D Rockefeller lived a higher, better life than almost every American during this time age. He also obtained an extravagant amount of power through his work and company. His good deeds were overruled by his many bad deeds therefore making him a villain rather than a hero.
Rockefeller was a great Captain Of Industry; he reshaped and converted the oil industry and became a philanthropist. Rockefeller grew up in an above average home with his Mother and Father. “After being graduated from High School in 1855, the family sent him to a Cleveland Business School.” (The New Tycoons: John D. Rockefeller) Rockefeller’s parent’s support as a young man was a great contribution to his success. Many people argue that Rockefeller didn’t deserve his great accomplishments, but just as many other successful people; he too worked very hard for his achievements. “Young John Rockefeller entered the workforce on the bottom rung of the ladder as a clerk in a Cleveland shipping firm” (The New Tycoons; John D. Rockefeller). Rockefeller went from being a clerk in a small firm to building up one of the greatest and largest industries in the U.S. As products such as automobiles were becoming more popular, the demand for oil grew. John D. Rockefeller was also known for being a Philanthropist, Rockefeller wrote one of his partners, “let the good work go on. We must ever remember we are refining oil for the poor man and he must have it cheap and good” (Folsom, John D. Rockefeller and the Oil Industry) Rockefeller knew that there was a need for oil, he gave the best oil he could at the lowest price, his customers were his main priority and they were in his best interest. Not only did Rockefeller support fellow Americans while he was alive, he also did after
In conclusion John. D rockefeller was not a overthrowing, ruthless business owner. He was sympathetic, intellectual, charitable and very clever. Without him universities, cities and especially New York would not be the same today. He helped form the oil production in america and made jobs and opportunities for american citizens and he was the most known philanthropist in HISTORY. John. D Rockefeller came from a middle-class, much like us, and built a kingdom on his back. Rockefeller is no Robber Baron. He is a Captain, a Captain of Industry. And his title should be changed as
Many of the men who were called "captains of industry," they worked hard to make America an advanced and prosperous nation. "Some of them, however, greed for gain and aggressive buisiness practices earned them the less flattering titles of "robber barons." (United States History Book) Some of the most influential companies of the Gilded Age were the Standard Oil Company, the United States Steel Corporation, and they were founded by two of the "robber barons" John D. Rockfeller, the first American billionaire, founder of the Standard Oil company, and J.P Morgan, the founder of the United States Steel corporation, America's first supercorporation. "The production of steel and iron rose as the demand for improved transportation increased the desire for the resources of the west such as lumber gold, and silver." (http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/gilded/jb_gilded_subj.html) The Gilded Age was a period when many great companies were created, and supported America's inevitable growth in
The Gilded Age, was the time period, following that of Reconstruction, marking the rise of big business, capitalist expansion, and further industrialization. As a result of the policy laissez-faire implemented by the government toward business and the economy itself , growth of corporation was more prominent than ever before. Given truth to its name the Gilded Age, seemed to be a time of societal and economic enrichment, but the truth was that under the surface political, social and economic issues boiled. Consisting of political corruption, shady business and tight political races the Gilded Age was a time of quiet havoc. The growth of corporation in all ways led big business to impact the economy, politics and receive various responses from
The Gilded age was a time of deception and industry. Many businesses tried to make it to the top but most failed. Very few went on to become a huge success, such as Carnegie’s steel production. Being a captain of industry is a big importance, and even though people may not like your methods, they work for you and your business.
Have you ever wondered if John Brown was a hero or a villain? John Brown was a horrible person. He killed many innocent people, stole weapons, and committed very serious crimes. This is a serious topic because it lets others educate themselves about how John Brown was an evil person. John Brown was a villain because he committed grave crimes.
Whether or not the politics of the Gilded Age failed in dealing with social and economic issues has long been debated by historians. Peeling away streaks of gold plastered on the deficiencies of the time, the cause of such problems can be unveiled. In finding a blame for the corruption within the growing economy and its demands on a wavering society, all fingers point to the politics of the Gilded Age.
Is John Brown A Hero Or A Villain? “I never did intend murder or treason, or the destruction of property, or to excite or incite the slaves to rebellion, or to make insurrection.” (John Brown Document F) is what John Brown said at court while on trial for treason and murder. John Brown was an advocate for the abolishment of slavery.
During the Gilded Age, the United States saw an increase in the power of big businesses, many of which monopolized their industries. This time period, although it appeared successful from the outside, was filled with governmental corruption. Manipulated by the robber barons of the Gilded Age, the United States government fell victim to their control. Contrary to this downfall, the nation celebrated much success in the numerous life-changing inventions attributed to this era. With the invention of the internal combustion engine, among others, there also came a major increase in the demand for oil. Entering the flourishing oil business in 1870, John D. Rockefeller created the Standard Oil Company, which later dominated the entire oil industry. Although he had years filled with success in the business, Rockefeller faced a disastrous court case that dissolved his company and years of his hard work. Despite this catastrophic event, Rockefeller found other ways to contribute his knowledge and hard-work by making innumerable philanthropic donations. After many years and countless efforts, John D. Rockefeller had one of the most outstanding and positive influences on the United States through his work in the oil industry and his philanthropic actions.
The Gilded Age is defined as the time between the Civil War and World War I, during which the United States population grew quickly and the economy prospered greatly. However, it is also known to be cluttered with political corruption and corporate financial misleadings, in which the rich grew very wealthy and the poor were basically peasants. The economic growth of the nation was highly influenced by the availability of land and technological innovations promised through multiple acts passed throughout the time period, and, as a result, there were many negative changes in the social standing of minorities.
The Gilded Age is a brief time in American history in which the United States experienced a population and rapid economic expansion. Mark Twain named it the “Gilded Age” as this was after the Civil War, lasting from 1870 - 1900. Although, this name was ironic as “gilded” is a term used to describe something that was covered in gold, by this he meant that the Gilded Age was whitewashed but was full of corruption. It shows how the social factors (as seen in documents A,B,C and D), economic factors (as seen in documents G), and political factors (as seen in documents E, H and I)
John Brown was a famous abolitionist in Kansas. John Brown believed that everyone deserved freedom and that everyone was equal. But, how John Brown saved slaves is not the best way to do so. We must discuss this topic because there is evidence that shows John Brown is a hero and proof that he is a villain. Historians have proven John Brown is a villain because he killed innocent people, started a slave revolt, and was given money to buy money.
Rockefeller was an intelligent man who sought for better means in order to increase productivity. He used the opportunities of the time to take advantage of a free system. One of his best characteristics was that he lowered the cost of oil across the word by his largest scale production. To see that his oil was top quality at minimum cost he also hired specialist managers, this was a revolutionary concept at the time.
One of the most influential men in shaping America, one of the most brilliant men to walk this Earth, one of the most resilient and cut-throat entrepreneurs of time is John D. Rockefeller. There are a few things that make this man have a few of these qualities. The biggest and most important reasons is he is one of the very few men who literally made America and its reality what it is today. There are lots of men who made big moves to push America in this direction, but Rockefeller’s actions were so big that it made him the richest man in America. Well what did Rockefeller do that was so iconic? He discovered oil. Not only did he discover the biggest oil source in the world, the Standard Oil Company, but he also used his wealth to fund other philanthropic causes.
Others took his humbleness as another form of arrogance and thought of him as disgust. Because of all of this they thought of him as a villain instead of a hero.