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How Is Cornelius Vanderbilt A Captain Of Industry

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Cornelius Vanderbilt: Captain of Industry When America began its journey into industry, the country immediately flourished. Inundated with immigrants, factories were easily staffed; jobs were given out to any individual who wanted one. However, some of these large industrial companies flourished more than others. Cornelius Vanderbilt, for example, became one of the richest men in the country. Many Americans believe that business owners like Vanderbilt should be given the name “Robber Barons” because of their great accomplishments; however, in contrast, others like to deem them as America’s “Captains of Industry”. I believe that Cornelius was a true captain of industry because of his strong will, entrepreneurial mindset, and eagerness for success. …show more content…

Attending school rarely, he cared more for the family business than anything else. Later, as Vanderbilt began to operate his own business, he continued to demonstrate a strong passion for what he did. Year after year, the steamship business continued to bring in more revenue. In addition, when Vanderbilt began to purchase railroad, the profits continued to go up. Without his strong will, Vanderbilt’s massive fortune never would have taken place. Having a strong mind like Vanderbilt is admirable among many; however, his brilliant and creative mindset made him stand out above others. Not only did this man set out to monopolize the steamboat industry, but he followed the trends of the economy as well. Seeing the opportunity to invest in an exponentially growing market, Vanderbilt decided to begin his journey with the railroad. In early America, seizing the chances you had as a businessman were

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America has been changed due to the accomplishments of many entrepreneurs, such as Cornelius Vanderbilt. Cornelius Vanderbilt started as the owner of one steamboat, and slowly built his one boat into a fleet of many boats. As the International Railroad was nearing completion Vanderbilt did the unthinkable he sold his entire company of boats and bought a rail line. Vanderbilt then began to slowly buy out other lines, until he eventually owned most of the lines in the east. Vanderbilt's net worth was eventually an astonishing 215 billion dollars in today's money.

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We are in an era of great wealth and prosperity in America, but there is a dark secret to this period of economic growth. Cornelius Vanderbilt and Jay Gould are two of the most influential railroad barons of the time, but their business practices are anything but honorable. Vanderbilt and Gould use their immense wealth and power to create monopolies and exploit the railroad industry for their own gain. They manipulate the stock market, bribe politicians, and use intimidation tactics to ensure their success.

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J. Stiles writes in his long but fascinating new biography of the Commodore, "The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt." "The modern economic mind began to emerge in Vanderbilt's lifetime," Stiles writes, "amid fierce debate, confusion, and intense resistance. " The Panic of 1873 takes up little space in the book, coming at the end of the Commodore's career, but its resonance with today's crisis makes it stand out, a reminder that Vanderbilt's life and times still have much to teach

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Cornelius Vanderbilt The Captain Industry Cornelius Vanderbilt is in my mind undoubtedly a Captain of Industry and not a Robber Baron. What classifies someone as a Robber Baron, someone who provides low pay? Or bad working conditions? Neither of those describe him or his business. ] He may have been a brute force in the railroad industry

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Arguably one of the most pivotal points in American history, the industrialization of the 19th century brought about a new way of life, and with that came intense competition and crucial outcomes. Cornelius Vanderbilt, Andrew Carnegie and John D Rockefeller are just a few examples of industrialists that made lasting impacts on society. I believe that these 19th century industrialists did not always play fair, but it was their motivation and intuition behind their choices that credit them as the “Captains of Industry” and helped shape American business. To earn this title, these men had to do whatever it took to stay on top. Being the front runners, they were constantly being targeted and had to fight back to ensure the prosper of their own

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In the 19th century, individuals became incredibly wealthy due to the rapid expansion of railroads throughout the United States. These railroad tycoons amassed fortunes by investing in and controlling the transportation industry. The development of railroads allowed for faster and more efficient transportation of goods and people, ultimately leading to the growth of cities and industries across the country. There is no denying the significant impact these individuals had on American history and the economy. Cornelius Vanderbilt, also known as the "Commodore," was a prominent figure in American business during the 19th century.

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Rikki Dianne Saul October 8, 2015 Influencing the Society Cornelius Vanderbilt was an entrepreneur who got his start in the steamboat industry. He was able to fight against the New York state government monopoly on steamboats by offering the same transportation for cheaper costs. He illustrated for us that the free market is better for bringing costs down, not only for stateside travels, but transatlantic and continental trips from the East Coast to the West Coast. John D. Rockefeller taught us the values of good stewardship, which is to not leave anything to waste.

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Cornelius Vanderbilt was well known for his intelligence in the business industry. Vanderbilt originally made his money off of steamships, but eventually changed his path to the railroad industry. Many people perceived Vanderbilt as a Captain of Industry; however, others perceived him as a Robber Baron. Nevertheless, Vanderbilt was one of the most well known business leaders of his time, which is still talked about today. In May of 1794 Cornelius Vanderbilt was born to Cornelius Vanderbilt and Phebe Hand Vanderbilt on Staten Island, New York.

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For the first time in the country’s short existence, the man who was most capable of leading America was not a politician. He was a self-made person who, through sheer force of will, was able to turn a poor upbringing on the docks of New Harbor into an empire. Vanderbilt grew up poor, but at age 16, he bought a small ferry boat with a loan of $100 and quickly developed a reputation as a “cutthroat” businessman. He was a tough guy and did whatever it took to get ahead of the game, and once he created the railroad empire, he became the richest man in the country. He even became so synonymous with shipping that his nickname became “the Commodore.”

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“I began to stop accumulating and begin the infinitely more serious and difficult task of wise distribution,” as said by Andrew Carnegie. The industrialist and hard-working Andrew Carnegie was a very successful businessman and philanthropist. Andrew Carnegie provided the United States economy to rise due to his steel production in the 1800’s and 1900’s. Although some may think Carnegie was a brutal businessman, Andrew Carnegie enhanced the United States due to his business investments, his philanthropy, and his educational institutions. One way Andrew Carnegie enhanced The United States is his business investments.

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He was the son of a famer and boatman and later quit school at the age 11. In 1810 Vanderbilt purchased his first boat with money he borrowed from his parents. Vanderbilt made his fortune of more than 100 million by shipping goods on steamboat and railroad. At point in history he completely controlled all shipping of goods that moved throughout the east coast. Men such as Rockefeller and Carnegie had to go through Vanderbilt to move their steel and oil products across the land.

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Money. Everyone wants it but doesn’t want to work for it. It’s a common necessity in everyday life and it always will be. These two gentlemen took their passion for money and obtaining fine things and turned it into a profession. Cornelius Vanderbilt and Ted Waitt both had similarities and differences, both strong and weak.

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He used his boat to ferry passengers and goods between Staten Island and Manhattan… Selling his ferry business, Vanderbilt went to work for Thomas Gibbons in 1817, running a steam ship line between New York and New Jersey. Over 12 years, Vanderbilt became an expert in the operation and design of steam ships. He 1829, he resigned to launch his own business… He sold his interest in steamers and turned to Wall Street, the financial heart of the nation in New York. In a short period of time, he quietly bought up a number of railroads to form the New York Central and Hudson River line, one of the largest businesses America had ever seen.

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Carnegie slowly moved his way up with jobs and soon he got a job in a sleeping car company. This led to Carnegie’s early success in the railroad business. During the Civil War, Carnegie invested in oil, worked in transportation for the U.S. War Department and became interested in the steel and iron business. When the Civil War ended, he focused more on the steel business and decided to pursue a career in the

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Was Cornelius Vanderbilt a Robber Baron or Captain of Industry? A cruel businessman or an industrious leader? Henry J. Raymond believed that Vanderbilt was “a monopolist that crushed other competitors”(T.J Stiles). While he is also deemed one of America’s leading businessmen, and is also credited for helping shape the United States. His fortunes were made unfairly in some cases but his million dollar contribution to the Navy was very generous.

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