Beginning next week, all classes will start to investigate the development of, tactics, and successes of the so-called "robber barons" or "champions of industry" from the period: John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, J. Pierpoint Morgan, and earlier, Cornelius Vanderbilt. Great information about these business titans can be found at the following places:
- For a video (just under 10 minutes) about John D. Rockefeller, check this youtube clip out.
- A short biography page (with videos) for Rockefeller from Biography.com.
- Andrew Carnegie's can also be found on the site as well.
- And so can J. Pierpoint Morgan's! Fantastic sources for general information!
- And, you guessed it! Cornelius Vanderbilt has his biography summary on the site too!
- Andrew Carnegie, later in life, wrote an extremely influential essay titled "Wealth" where he argued, among many other things, the responsibility rich people have to use their wealth toward causes for social improvement. The essay can be found here. (GREAT primary source!)
"Thus is the problem of Rich and Poor to be solved. The laws of accumulation will be left free ; the laws of distribution free. Individualism will continue, but the millionaire will be but a trustee for the poor; [e]ntrusted for a season with a great part of the increased wealth of the community, but administering it for the community far better than it could or would have done for itself. The best minds will thus have reached a stage in the development of the race which it is clearly seen that there is no mode of disposing of surplus wealth creditable to thoughtful and earnest men into whose hands it flows save by using it year by year for the general good. This day already dawns. But a little while [...] men may die sharers in great business enterprises from which their capital cannot be or has not been withdrawn, and is left chiefly at death for public uses, yet the man who dies leaving behind many millions of available wealth, which was his to administer during life, will pass away "unwept, unhonored, and unsung," no matter to what uses he leaves the dross which he cannot take with him. Of such as these the public verdict will then be : "The man who dies thus rich dies disgraced."
This last idea later became the basis of what was called "The Gospel of Wealth". Both Carnegie and Rockefeller donated large sums of money toward charities and other associations toward the end of their lives.
Students will eventually, through study and lessons, come to evaluate the achievements of these men from the perspective of "exploiter" or "champion"; basically, the "robber baron" idea vs. the "go-getter" view. Were they simply just better businessmen during the period? Or, did they succeed through taking advantage of the system and the average American (worker)? Ultimately, students will have to draw their own conclusions.
Further down the road, students will investigate the government attempts to address the business juggernauts of the period through the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. We'll then look a bit more in-depth at the effects of immigration of the period, leading to study of Ellis Island, the Chinese Exclusion Act, and the symbolism and significance of the creation of the Statue of Liberty during the period.
Sparknotes.com has a great rundown/summary of important figures and concepts from the period as well!
HAPPY STUDYING!
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