The document discusses the captains of industry, also known as robber barons, during the 19th century in the United States. While some of their business practices harmed others, these businessmen ultimately helped modernize the country through innovations like applying steel production to skyscrapers and railroads, bringing costs down and accessibility up. Figures like Andrew Carnegie helped transform the U.S. into an industrial power through expanding markets and increasing productivity, though workers often faced difficult conditions and low pay.

1. Captains Of Industry
The old saying you have to crack a few eggs to make an omelet holds true for the captains of
industry or the so–called robber barons. Although the captains of industry drove some people and
businesses into the ground; ultimately the captains of industry made the United States and the rest
of the world a better place. Granted, many of the captains of industry used questionable business
practiced that drove their profits to unprecedented levels. In addition, these captains of industry had
many government officials under their thumbs, which only increased their income further. However,
these same men founded and donated to colleges and universities, one of these millionaires donated
to black colleges, and others created libraries (Zinn 53). In...show more content...
One such example is steel products. Before Andrew Carnegie helped bring the Bessemer process to
the masses steel products were extremely expensive (Gordon 57). However, approximately thirty
years after the Carnegie Steel Company started producing Bessemer steel in high volumes,
Carnegie's company steel output eclipsed the total output of Great Britain. This large supply of
steel not only brought the prices of steel products down to a level where the general public could
buy them, it also paved the way for several innovations that would benefit the American people
(Gordon 57). As steel got cheaper, building skyscrapers became both physically possible and
economically viable. Before the Carnegie Steel Company, steel was much too expensive to be
used as a building material (Gordon 60). Skyscrapers with steel skeletons allowed buildings to be
built higher than ever before, these taller buildings could increase the efficiency of cities by putting
more people in the same plot of land. In addition to skyscrapers, steel also made its way onto
railroads. Steel railroads were much stronger and more durable than wrought–iron rails, thus
improving rail safety (Gordon 60). Large companies such as the Carnegie Steel Company helped
bring formerly expensive goods to the masses. Their contributions improved cities and railroads; in
addition, they brought the United States to a world power in
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2. 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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3. 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 and John 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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4. 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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