Historical philosophical, theoretical, and legal foundations of special and i...
Captains Of Industry Essay
1. Captains Of Industry Essay
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, during the climax of the American Industrial Revolution, there was a small group of men who owned the major
businesses and were leaders of their industries. They owned factories, railroads, banks, and even created company towns for the sole purpose of
housing their workers. Due to the efforts of these few men, the U.S. economy became the envy of the world, and America became a leading world
power. They provided the public with products that were in high demand for reasonable prices, and opened their markets to countries overseas.
Although many people believe the early industrialists were Robber Barons who exploited the poor, these great men were truly Captains of Industry who
created new ways of doing...show more content...
Although some of these criticisms are well founded, men like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller were, in fact, Captains of Industry because
they employed millions and created new ways of doing business. Before all these industrialists can along, America was just another country that
had little significance to the world. If it was not for them, we as a nation would not be where we are today. The industrialists prospered mainly due
to their wit, and the many innovations that they brought to their various fields of business. They created monopolies because they were the most
effective forms of enterprise, and there were no laws that prohibited or restricted their use. As John D. Rockefeller himself said, "I believe in the
spirit of combination and cooperation when properly conductedВ….It helps to reduce waste, and waste is a dissipation of power."(Danzer 424)
Critics say that these men ruthlessly took over their fields of business, and "did not play fair". What's wrong with striving for success? What's wrong
with being efficient? What's wrong with making a product that no one can equal? What's wrong with besting your competitors? Nothing. The
principal reason for the success of the industrialists was their ability to provide products and services to the public at reasonable rates. This was also
the main reason that they were so despised and vilified by their competitors and the covetous
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2. Captains of Industry
American society is constantly evolving and changing, but has been consistently shaped by the American economy. The American dream of "rags to
riches" drove production and allowed for the rapid rise of industry under the theory of Social Darwinism. The ideas of vertical integration, horizontal
integration, and monopoly led to the expansion of railroads, the use of kerosene from refined oil to light homes, and the American domination of the
steel industry. These recently introduced concepts and their repercussions are indebted to the businessmen who sought to manipulate and dominate the
industry. Despite beginnings in poverty, determination and innovation led Andrew Carnegie andJohn D. Rockefeller to become not only captains of
industry in their own time, but also legacies of American success. Though very different in personality, Rockefeller and Carnegie were raised under
similar circumstances and shared similar convictions in regard to poverty. Growing up in Dunfermline, Scotland, Carnegie experienced the life of the
working poor first–hand (Andrew Carnegie PBS). His father was a weaver, and the industrial revolution that would later correlate directly with
Carnegie's success destroyed his father's trade (Andrew Carnegie PBS). As a result, his mother was forced to open a small grocery shop and mend
shoes on the side to support the family. At age 13, Carnegie taught himself morse code so that he could work as a messenger in Pittsburgh's city office,
a decision that
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3. Captain Of Industry Dbq
Robber Barons or Caption of Industry
During the 19th Century, businessmen creating large businesses titled "Captain of Industry", Captain of Industry is a phrase that is sometimes used
to describe business people who are especially successful and powerful. Yet were also titles "Robber Baron" meaning some were wealthy people who
tries to get land, businesses, or more money in a way that is dishonest or wrong.
Captain of Industry are those who made a positive contribution to the nation by expanding markets and increasing trade providing more jobs and
increasing productivity. Some put their wealth to improve the lives of others with generous donations to their community. For example in Wealth and
its Users by Andrew Carnegie, millionaires can be titled "Captain of Industry" because "They are the bees that make the most honey, and contribute
most to the hive even after they have gorged themselves full." Meaning they bring more money to their community to expand markets, and provide
jobs. So businessmen titled "Captain of Industry" are the reason why communities have many businesses and many people with jobs....show more
content...
For instants the image "P.U.C.K" on Document A, is showing the 4 top businessmen who use others to get themselves wealthy. They were mostly
cruel and ruthless businessmen who would stop at nothing to achieve great wealth. "Worker were treated badly by management. Workers were often
forbidden to strike, paid very low wages, and forced to work very long hours" ("Captain of Industry" or "Robber Baron" Document). The housing for
working class were filled and crowed. "The numbers of millionaires increased from 300 to 4,000. Yet, working families were forced to rely on two,
three, and sometimes more, incomes to make ends
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