How Did John D. Rockefeller Accumulate Wealth In The United States?

Throughout the 19th century the United States of America embarked in a vigorous expansion across Northern America. This expansion allowed for people to acquire new territory as they continue to migrate north. During this time of territorial growth there became opportunities for massive wealth. These various opportunities were from the development of new industries such as rail roads, steal and oil companies. These companies were not regulated by the government which made it easier for people to accumulate wealth and hold monopolies. One person who was able to accumulate a massive amount of wealth during this time was John D. Rockefeller. Rockefeller is one of the richest americans in history. Throughout his life he was able to accumulate massive wealth, devoted time as a philanthropist which both helped pave the way for future Americans. John D. Rockefeller first began earning his own income as a boy by raising turkeys, selling candy and side jobs he did for his neighbors. This was during the time that slavery was first in existences but it was not until the discovery of oil that made him one of the richest man in the United States. Oil was first discovered in 1859 …show more content…
America was build by men that were able to work hard and achieve their wealth. Rockefeller was able to make a massive amount of wealth due to the lack of barriers on how much he could accumulate and government regulations. The opportunity to become wealth has continued in the United States but it has become more difficult to achieve. The top 1 percent of the population in America own 34 percent of all privately held wealth in the United States in 2007 (Hurst 2013). Though the percentage of trying to move up the ladder of wealth is difficulty, it did become reachable due to the paved roads that the early entrepreneurs like Rockefeller have