Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

History

 

            Although industrialists helped America become a great economic power, they sacrificed morals, as well as people, in order to achieve their wealth. These industrialist did not concern themselves with hoping to create American economic power, with their own greed and position. Nineteenth century industrialist can be described as "industrial statesmen," but they are better described as "robber barons." .
             "Robber barons" and "industrial statesmen" were terms used in the 19th century to describe many of the great industrial leaders. "Robber barons," were the leaders that people believed were fierce, evil people, who worked and treated their employees harshly. On the other hand, "industrial statesmen," were the leaders that were seen as gods of the industrial time period, whose generosity showed through donations and other kind acts. Many "robber barons" used the system of vertical and horizontal integration to gain control within industry. Vertical integration is the act of controlling raw materials or distribution facilities. Horizontal integration is the attempt to control more and more of a given niche of a particular industry.
             During the Gilded Age, large national corporations became the dominant fact of the business world. The rise of the modern corporations and the building of national and transportation infrastructures, like the railroad defined the period. Presidents had moderate power and big businesses developed a mutual and corrupt alliance with politics. Union organizations such as the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor built their unions to fight big business. The Gilded Age was a also a period of time of massive immigration. Immigrants often were willing to work for less pay, making them cherished and exploited by big businesses.
             "Robber barons," worked for their own benefit, not worrying about the effect it would have on others. As stated in Document A, "I don't take any stock in this silly nonsense about working for anybody's good but our own.


Essays Related to History