Robber Baron or Captain of Industry? Project
Goal: To be “hired” by Mrs. Lawson as the greatest “Captain of Industry” from the Gilded Age while dashing the hopes of the other Robber Barons.
Prompt: The wave of industrialism that we have been studying was often driven by a few great men known as Industrialists. There can be no mistaking their motive: wealth. There is some debate, however, on how history should portray these industrialists. Are they leaders in their field, promoting American Capitalism or greedy robber barons looking to make money on the backs of hard working Americans?
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Background Information: Some feel that the powerful industrialists of the gilded age should be referred to as “robber barons.” This view stresses the negative. It portrays men like John Piermont (JP) Morgan, Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius Vanderbilt, John Rockefeller, Jay Gould, and Henry Ford as cruel and ruthless businessmen who would stop at nothing to achieve great wealth. These “robber barons” were accused of exploiting workers by forcing horrible working conditions and unfair labor practices upon them.
Another view of the industrialist is that of the “captain of industry.” The term captain views these men as ingenious industrious leaders who transformed the American economy with their business skills. They were praised for their skills. These men led America into the 20th Century and allowed it to become a player on the world stage.
In reality, the debate over robber barons and captains of industry mirrors the views of industrialism itself. Just as there were both positives and negatives to industrialism, there were positives and negatives to the leaders of industrialism.
Another view of the industrialist is that of the “captain of industry.” The term captain views these men as ingenious industrious leaders who transformed the American economy with their business skills. They were praised for their skills. These men led America into the 20th Century and allowed it to become a player on the world stage.
In reality, the debate over robber barons and captains of industry mirrors the views of industrialism itself. Just as there were both positives and negatives to industrialism, there were positives and negatives to the leaders of industrialism.