During the mid to late 19th century, the term “Robber Baron” came into use. It was used to describe capitalist men who ran big businesses and allegedly acquired their vast fortunes from questionable and unethical business practices. The unethical practices regularly consisted of exploiting workers, including children, with low wages and long, hard hours in unacceptable working conditions; influencing government and elections, thus furthering the corruption of the government; buying out competitors; and, often intimidating smaller competitors into selling their company. Even though some people during the 19th century did not have an issue with the misconduct of big business, others dedicated their time to exposing the abuses of industries
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Carnegie, Frick, and others like them, took advantage of the fact that no real laws had been created to protect laborers from exploitation. Powerful, rich leaders could do what they wanted, without and consequences. If the workers did not comply with demands, even unrealistic demands, they could be easily and unjustly fired due to the unregulated power structures in the employer-employee relationship. In addition, an excess of laborers looking for work made it effortless for companies to continue producing at the same rate. However egregious these men seem, it would be unfair not to list the constructive and effective things many “Robber Barons” did for the welfare of society. Many leading industrialists donated enormous amounts of their personal fortune to public institutes and, often times, Christian charities. In addition to charitable acts, their companies were also responsible for an inflation of goods on the market, thus increasing the affordability of many products. The increase of products was responsible for heightened quality of life for those able to afford them. The companies also created factory jobs, which seemed to be a safe haven of, at least, moderately reliable income compared to farming jobs, which were crippled in massive amounts of
Carnegie, Frick, and others like them, took advantage of the fact that no real laws had been created to protect laborers from exploitation. Powerful, rich leaders could do what they wanted, without and consequences. If the workers did not comply with demands, even unrealistic demands, they could be easily and unjustly fired due to the unregulated power structures in the employer-employee relationship. In addition, an excess of laborers looking for work made it effortless for companies to continue producing at the same rate. However egregious these men seem, it would be unfair not to list the constructive and effective things many “Robber Barons” did for the welfare of society. Many leading industrialists donated enormous amounts of their personal fortune to public institutes and, often times, Christian charities. In addition to charitable acts, their companies were also responsible for an inflation of goods on the market, thus increasing the affordability of many products. The increase of products was responsible for heightened quality of life for those able to afford them. The companies also created factory jobs, which seemed to be a safe haven of, at least, moderately reliable income compared to farming jobs, which were crippled in massive amounts of