Gilded Age Dbq Analysis

During the Gilded Age, many new business practices were founded. These practices, and businessmen who used them, were under high scrutiny about their ethics. Many discredited their numerous achievements because they believe the means necessary to achieve them was horrendous. These people would call the businessmen of the time ‘Robber Barons.’ (Doc C-1). However, many also saw the practices as revolutionary to American business and saw the businessmen as ‘Captains of Industry’ for their good work and innovate practices. (Doc C-2). This is the title the businessmen of the Gilded Age worked hard to deserve. In the 19th century, the upper class grew. “…the richest 9 percent of Americans controlled 75 percent of the nation’s wealth.” (Context). These people often gained their wealth at the expense of the poor. Business owners, such as Andrew Carnegie and John Rockefeller, exploited their employees and did not pay them living wages. Consumers were also slighted. Once a company had achieved a monopoly and made it difficult for their products to be bought from any competitors, they would often raise prices. However, these practices were unprecedented and were justified by the ideas of Social Darwinism. Company owners had to be fierce and buy out competitors to survive in the cutthroat business world. The …show more content…
For example, Andrew Carnegie donated much of his riches to making public infrastructures. Also, the economy was greatly improved by businesses flourishing. Production rates rose, railroads grew and more jobs were created. (Context). The actions of big businessmen recreated the face of America to be an international producer. For leading the way for America to have a globally recognized economy, the businessmen of this time should be called the Captains of