How Did Robber Barons Help The Economy In The Late 1800's

594 Words3 Pages

After the Civil War America entered an era known as the Gilded Age where the economy began to grow in production of raw materials and railroads plus population increased tremendously. The industry of America grew large and big businessmen like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller became very wealthy and rich. Soon after the rise in popularity of the businessmen in Industry people began labeling the businessmen as either “ Robber Barons “ or “ Captains of Industry “. Robber Barons were considered entrepreneurs who would stop at little expense to achieve a lot of wealth. They would be cruel to their workers and force horrible working conditions while paying little to the workers. On the other hand businessmen who were fair to workers, helped …show more content…

These “ Captains of Industry “ donated to charity and helped the poor after they helped themselves. Stated by Andrew Carnegie in Wealth and Its Uses “ It will be a great mistake for the community to shoot the millionaires, for they are bees that make the most honey, and contribute most to the hive even after they have gorged themselves full. “ Carnegie is explaining that millionaires make the most honey ( money/wealth ) and contribute the most to the hive ( community ) after the millionaires are stable themselves. These businessmen also set an example on how to live and deal with wealth, also stated by Andrew Carnegie in The Gospel of Wealth “ This, then, is helf to be the duty of the man of wealth: First, to set an example of modest, unostentatious living, shunning display or extravagance “ and “ to produce the most beneficial results for the community - the man of wealth thus becoming the mere trustee and agent for his poorer brethren.” Carnegie is explaining that men of tremendous wealth need to set an example of living for the poor and produce for the whole