preview

Robber Barons Dbq

Decent Essays

During the late 19th century, the industrial leaders were either characterized as “robber barons” or “industrial statesmen”. The extent of this classification comes with the power of how they use their leadership to better improve the economy of the United States. Although both groups impacted the United States industrial economy, “robber barons” had the advantage because they applied their technique to innovate American history. Robber Barons gave lower wages, built monopolies, provided poor working conditions for the employees and didn’t offer any working benefits. Industrial Statesmen helped improve the economy, gave jobs, and donated money to charity. Both the Industrial Statesmen and Robber Barons maintain a higher economic status, along …show more content…

Robber Barons cheat and compete to cruel measures. Robber Barons often justify their actions with the Social Darwinism philosophy. They only look out for themselves which meant low wages, bad working conditions, building monopoly, etc. They seek power, wealth, and do not show much concern for their public image. A political cartoon (Document E), Herman, Viola, Why We Remember: United States History, Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley Publishing Company, resembles a monopoly being created which can be interpreted as John D. Rockefeller, a notorious Robber Baron, building his standard oil company with other associations and companies such as, Insurance company, Gas company, Smaller Oil companies, Savings Bank, etc. The New York Times, May 24, 1937 (Document F, lists the major gifts given by Rockefeller by the time of his death the same year, which shows that even though Rockefeller was considered a man of bad morals, he did show that he is charismatic. It also demonstrates how he attempted to balance his bad actions with good ones. In an interview with William H. Vanderbilt(Document A), another well-known Robber Baron, published in the Chicago Daily News, October 9, 1882, he establishes his carelessness by saying things such as “The railroads are not run for the benefit of the “dear public” --- that cry is all nonsense…” and “The public be …show more content…

they are also known to have great wealth, excel in business, improve the economy, and help the charities. These Industrial Statesmen run efficient and very profitable businesses, and they gain through hard work along with industriousness. Advancements in the economy is through the Industrial Statesmen providing employment, good working environments, expanding the economy, and create chances for the people. Andrew Carnegie is the most eminent Industrial Statesmen, he grew from nothing to becoming so well known for expanding the economy along with innovating new business strategies and improving the economy. Andrew Carnegie, “Wealth”, North American Review (Document B), 1889, discusses how the wealthy are superior to everyone else and should use their opulence to help the unfortunate. Carnegie was a strong believer of Social Darwinism, which is the concept that persons are matter to the equal natural selection as vegetation and wildlife. Carnegie thought that the more wealth one acquires establishes how intact a man is which means only the rich men know how to uphold the oppression and advance in society. The author of this passage is neither a Robber Baron nor an Industrial Statesmen, he is neutral. Weaver explains how trust can harm those who are seen in extraordinary supremacy and are perceived as liabilities. He also discusses how to maximize profit made from producers by

Get Access