Robber baron

Robber Baron refers to the industrial businessmen of the nineteenth century (Stiles, “Robber”). “It conjures up visions of titanic monopolists who crushed competitors, rigged markets, and corrupted governments. In their greed and power, legend has it they held sway over helpless democracy,” (Stiles, “Robber”). Founding the debates over government regulation and private enterprise or opportunity and equality, these industrial titans were either condemned as robber barons or praised as captains of industry. A challenger and spoiler, Cornelius Vanderbilt was considered, according to the New York Times editor, a robber baron (Stiles, “Robber”). Born May 27, 1794 on Stanton Island, Cornelius Vanderbilt started working with his father at age 11, and by the age of 16, he bought a small ferry boat using a loan (“Cornelius Vanderbilt”). “Few could best him, in business, or on the street…. A cutthroat entrepreneur, he moves from sailboat to steamships, always undercutting, and then overcoming the competition,” (“Cornelius Vanderbilt”). He married his first cousin, Sophia Johnson and started his own business (Stiles, “Cornelius”). “Early on, he established a reputation as a man who was tough yet honest and capable… [he] learned to use his fists effectively, and demonstrated skill and daring handling a vessel,”…

During the late 19th century, the control of industrialists increased substantially. Robber Barons were known as businessmen who robbed people of their money. People such as Andrew Carnegie, who was very successful in the steel industry and John Rockefeller who came up with the Standard Oil Company are just a few examples. Andrew Carnegie wrote the “Gospel of Wealth” which justified the methods of their management. Although some of their methods were questionable, “Robber Baron” is not an…

There has long been a debate no whether the capitalists of the late 19th century to early 20th century (such as Rockefeller, Carnegie, etc.) were “captains of industry” who looked to better the budding country or corrupt “robber barons” who only looked after themselves. One needs to take a good long look back into this time period to uncover the truth of the matter; however, once one does this, it becomes quite apparent that the later of the two is quite factual while the former falls flat on…

demand for manufactured goods increased a great deal in the United States and more and more people invested in industrial pursuits. People were finding quicker and cheaper ways to build more products in a mass production. Entrepreneurs took advantage of these and learned to organize and fund a business which helped their economic situations skyrocket if they played their cards right. The people of this time who were not making as much money as quickly, felt as though the wealthy were getting…

Vanderbilt, Hill, The Scrantons, Shwab, and Rockefeller are what were believed to be “Robber Barons”. This was a phrase given to entrepreneurs by society because they believed that they were only out for themselves. Many believed that they were political entrepreneurs who's only worry in life was to make money, when in fact they wanted the exact opposite. In the book Myth of the Robber Baron, Burton Folsom tells the story of how these men who were thought to be out for themselves helped to shape…

Business leaders of the late 19th century Many great business leaders from the 19th century have been regarded to as greedy, unscrupulous even as robber barons. They were also regarded as far too power hungry. Is there such a thing as far too power hungry? Were these men actually captains of industry and ahead of their time? Cornelius Vanderbilt is a prime example of someone who people view as a robber baron. Vanderbilt did not come from a family with money. At the age of sixteen with only a…

Robber barons were detrimental in the development of American industrialization in the late 19th century. The term Robber Barons has a derogatory term applied to powerful, wealthy, and industrialists. Robber Barons were entrepreneurs whom many considered selfish and to be involved in activities such as dirty business schemes. Many small businesses were driven into debt having to file bankruptcy due to the monopolies created by Robber Barons. Most of the working class had built a hatred for…

Over the centuries, there have been countless conflicts to carry through time, such as war and battles. One conflict still carries through to today: should the Industrial leaders of the late 19th century be characterized more as “captains of industry” or “robber barons?” Two prominent figures to be noted are Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller. Neither was born into wealth, but rather, they earned it themselves through their success in the oil and steel businesses. But the question here is…

In late 19th century America, countless industrialists were accused of using unscrupulous or dishonest methods of hoarding wealth and building monopolies. Examples of these accused captains of industry include John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and J.P. Morgan, nicknamed "Robber Barons." While many consumers and competitors were quick to attack these powerful businessmen, their primary interest was merely to build on the success of their companies, and reach their full potential. I believe…

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…