Andrew Carnegie's Influence Made America Rich

Kayti Davenport

Hanna, Josh

HIST 1493

7 May 2023

Andrew Carnegie's influences made America rich

The richest man in America was not always wealthy beyond belief. Andrew Carnegie was the wealthiest Scottish American in the late 19th century storming through the American steel industry. Andrew Carnegie's philosophy was that wealthy individuals like himself have a social responsibility to give to the greater good. Carnegie’s three modes affirmed the economic explosion in America by arguing that wealth can be left to the families of the decedents, be bequeathed for public purposes; or, finally, be administered during their lives by its possessors to continue the wealth of the public. Andrew Carnegie worked his way all the way up the railroads to be as successful as he became. Carnegie was very determined “working his way into a position of management for a

Carnegie “had distributed $350 million, but had $30 million left, which went into the Corporation’s endowment” (Carnegie Corporation of New York) to give back to communities in need. The corporation has empowered communities ever since. Communities have been empowered by “Carnegie's wealth establishing numerous colleges, schools, nonprofit organizations and associations” (Carnegie Corporation of New York) has empowered Americans tremendously. Nonetheless, America would not have taken off economically without wealthy individuals like Carnegie. To sum up, everything that has been stated so far, Andrew Carnegie used his wealth to help America in the late 1800s for the greater good. Carnegie preached wealth should not be personal but rather shared. He fought for economic equality by ensuring the wealth at the time was spread out for the public purpose, as well as making sure his wealth would be put to great use once he passed. Nonetheless, the United States economy would not have taken off without industrialists like Andrew