Friday, January 23, 2015

Robber Barons or Captains of Industry?

Here is the story of some real Robber Barons: Fisk, Gould, and Cooke

But what about other entrepreneurs? Where they Robber Barons or Captains of Industry?

Andrew Carnegie

It shall be the rule for the workman to be Partner with Capital, the man of affairs giving his business experience, the working man in the mill his mechanical skill, to the company, both owners of the shares and so far equally interested in the success of their joint efforts.
—Andrew Carnegie


Edgar Thomson Works, Carnegie Steel Co (Click on any of the images for photographs.)
Andrew Carnegie Grows Up Working (Click "Next" for succeeding pages.)
Andrew Carnegie and His Parents (Click "Next" for succeeding pages.)
Andrew Carnegie Philanthropist (Click "Next" for succeeding pages.)
From The Richest Man in the World: Andrew Carnegie on The American Experience, (NOTE: This site contains a great deal of information and documents relating to Carnegie, including those listed below.)

Cornelius Vanderbilt

I have been insane on the subject of moneymaking all my life.
- Cornelius Vanderbilt

You have undertaken to cheat me. I won't sue you, for the law is too slow. I'll ruin you.

-Cornelius Vanderbilt

"Cornelius Vanderbilt" and "The Erie Railroad Wars" (move down the page until you locate the sections entitled "Cornelius Vanderbilt" and "The Erie Railroad Wars") 


J. P. Morgan

Morgan Finances Edison on The Smithsonian Museum of American History. (Note: This archival document and the previous article are here for their reference to Morgan as one of Edison's "main investors," showing how a financier like Morgan contributed to the American economy and quality of life.)

John D. Rockefeller

Standard Oil of New Jersey (move down the page until you locate the section entitled "Standard Oil of New Jersey") on American History 102: Civil War to the Present


Note: All links for this lesson were provided by http://edsitement.neh.gov

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