This week in history class, the lesson was done much differently from all the others. For this one, we created our own essential question from documents and videos given to us, and then created 40 multiple choice questions on the topic for our final exam at the end of the year. We had more freedom to decide how we wanted to learn the information, and I think it worked very well. The overarching topic was the rise of business in America during the late 1800s, including businessmen like Andrew Carnegie and John D Rockefeller. We learned how these two men, using somewhat questionable tactics, became the richest men in the world by creating large business that dominated American industry. The essential question we came up with was “Should Andrew Carnegie and John D Rockefeller be classified as Robber Barons or Captains of Industry?”
Captains of Industry were owners of extremely large corporations and businesses in the American economy during the late 1800s. These businessmen fought for control of major industries. Not all Captains of Industry were corrupt, but the majority were, and they were known as Robber Barons. To stay on top, Robber Barons bribed government officials, had extremely poor conditions for workers, hired personal armies to use against people who challenged their policies, and bought out or destroyed their competitors to create monopolies.
Andrew Carnegie was one of the richest businessmen of his time. He produced and sold steel, and invested in oil, iron, the telegraph, and the production of bridges and railroads. He believed in the Gospel of Wealth, the idea that every rich man was made rich by God, and therefor had a duty to use their money to help other people. Following this idea, Carnegie donated extra money to advance education by building libraries and Carnegie Mellon University, and promoted his workers by recognizing their talent and hard work. All these things made Andrew Carnegie the ideal Captain of Industry, a steep contrast to Rockefeller.
 |
| Udo J Keppler's political cartoon depicting Rockefeller as an octopus with a grasp on every area of American industry, including the government. (September 7, 1904) |
John D Rockefeller should most definitely be considered a Robber Baron. Rockefeller made his millions in the oil industry. He was “mad for oil,” and it was believed that everything he did was motivated by greed. He bought out rival companies who weren’t doing well, kept his production costs low to drive other companies out of business, and worked with rival companies’ boards of directors to keep their prices high. Little by little he bought out all the oil companies in America and held a tight grasp on government officials, as depicted in Udo J Keppler's political cartoon from 1904. Although he did donate millions to advancements in medicine, science, and education, he did it all for his own benefit, and for that Rockefeller should be considered a Robber Baron.
From the information we found on Captains of Industry of the late 1800s, I don’t think that all businessmen of the time should be considered Robber Barons. Of course, Rockefeller controlled the whole oil industry with his corrupt ways. But with Carnegie’s donations and interest in innovation for the world and the well-being of others, we can see that not all businessmen can be classified as Robber Barons.
Sources:
John D Rockefeller Bio: http://www.edline.net/files/_EfGYe_/dcbcad1ce101c2713745a49013852ec4/John_D_Rockefeller_Bio.pdf
Primary/Secondary Sources Lesson: http://www.edline.net/files/_EfHIe_/9f3369d5493f1a2b3745a49013852ec4/Doug_Ernst-Inquiry_Lesson-Robber_or_Captain.pdf
Udo J Keppler's Political Cartoon (September 7, 1904): http://www.edline.net/files/_EfHIe_/9f3369d5493f1a2b3745a49013852ec4/Doug_Ernst-Inquiry_Lesson-Robber_or_Captain.pdf
No comments:
Post a Comment