How Did Rockefeller Contribute To The Rise Of Industrialization

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Big business leaders of 1877-1900 during the United States Gilded Ages pioneered new methods of efficiently, used unskilled labors, and evidently set the modern precedent for businesses in the United States today. John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and J.P. Morgan made their fortunes through hard work, ambition, and skill. Most of these men transformed themselves from poverty-stricken boys they grew up as, to the richest businessmen in American history. Although their success was created by the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, they shaped today's modern industrialism. Each created one of the largest, most powerful, and successful corporations in America at the time. Before the industrial revolution started in the United States …show more content…

In the 1870’s oil prices where unstable and the production was always different. Rockefeller approached the owner of Cleveland's largest oil refinery owner and proposed they unite their companies. This would hopefully level prices and even production. The companies united as the Stand Oil Company. Rockefeller expand the influence of Standard Oil during the 1870’s and 1880’s. He did this by buying smaller refiners or drove them out of business across the United States. By the early 1880’s, the Standard Oil company had control in about ninety percent of the oil refineries located in the United States. To eliminate business Rockefeller was accused of using unethical practices. Including, undercutting oil prices of other companies known as predatory pricing. He was also accused of colluding with railroads to eliminate his competitors ability to distribute product. By eliminating the competitions Standard Oil gained a monopoly in the industry of oil. In 1881, the Standard Oil Company owned so much of the refinery business it became known as the Standard Oil Trust. The trust controlled and created companies across the United States that were their own entities, and Rockefeller directed all of the businesses. By creating separate companies Rockefeller controlled all parts of …show more content…

He owned Andrew Carnegie steel mills. Although he was not the first man to build steel; he found better ways for the mills to be more efficient. He quickly created one of the most technologically innovative and advanced steel companies in America. In so doing, Carnegie turn his namesake company, the Carnegie Steel Company, into one of the most efficient steel producing companies of its day. This resulted in tremendous profits flowing into Carnegie's pockets. While having worked for the railroad and climbed the latter, Carnegie started to use money to make investments, specifically in oil, and they brought in large returns. With these profits Carnegie left the railroad and decided to pursue the steel business. Carnegie built his first steel mill in the mid 1870’s, Edgar Thomson Steel Works, located in Braddock Pennsylvania. Which was just outside of Pittsburgh. Here he used the Bessemer process for making steel, which was the first inexpensive industrial process that could be used for the mass production of steel. Carnegie's business became knowns as, the Carnegie Steel Company. The business changed the production of steel throughout the country. Carnegie built mills around the country, using new technologies and methods of manufacturing, that made steel easier faster, and more productive. But, what made Andrew Carnegie truly successful was his use of vertical combination in the Carnegie Steel company. He owned every