Rockefeller Vs Vanderbilt

The founders of American industry have led lives full of many successes. Their legacy can never be recreated, and the difference they have made in all of America is remarkable. Historical figures such as Rockefeller and Carnegie are known for the greatness they have created, the rich history they have made for America. Although it may seem like these men lived easy lives of only excellence, that absolutely is not true. The American founders of industry have had to make difficult and painful choices that may benefit their own company, but destroy another's. They have had to work very hard to become a memorable name in industry, and they could not have possibly done it alone. Partnerships can be keys to success or to failure when in a competitive

Rockefeller and Cornelius Vanderbilt’s partnership benefitted both of their companies in many ways. Vanderbilt’s business was centered around transportation, more specifically the railroad industry. Rockefeller, on the other hand, had a big interest in oil and later started his company Standard Oil, which specialized in the kerosene and gasoline industries. Both men were capable of expanding their companies even wider throughout the country. When Vanderbilt heard of the oil refiner named Rockefeller, he thought that he would easily be able to take advantage of him to benefit mainly himself. So, when a confident and bold Rockefeller went in to make a reasonable deal with Vanderbilt about transporting his refined oil using Vanderbilt’s railroad system, Vanderbilt was shocked. Within the deal, Rockefeller firmly promised Vanderbilt 60 barrels a day in exchange for cheap shipping rates. The partnership was benefiting both men until Rockefeller decided that working with Vanderbilt’s rival, Thomas Scott, was the better choice for his company to expand at an even greater distance. I believe that partnerships can become successes, but only to a certain extent. As in this partnership, Rockefeller became greedy and wanted more for his company then what Vanderbilt was offering him. Their deal did in fact help boost both of their businesses to a higher level, and I believe it was a smart choice for the time being, but one’s business can only grow bigger by taking risks and

Morgan was one that benefitted one partner more than the other. Thomas Edison was an inventor that Morgan invested in. He was a smart man who designed an electrical system that could provide light in millions of homes throughout the country. Edison created a company called Edison General Electric which used direct current (DC) to power buildings. Morgan and Edison’s company was a success until a new and stronger type of electrical current called AC was invented, and was being used instead. Morgan did not like to lose, so he turned against his partner Edison, bought a majority of stock in Edison General Electric, fired Edison from his own company, and took over the company, renaming it General Electric. Their partnership only worked when their company was a success. Immediately when someone threatened their success, Morgan deserted his partner to create a success on his own. In this case, I believe that Morgan made the wrong decision to leave his partner and should have worked more with Edison instead to come up with an idea to beat the competitor. This partnership, in the end, resulted in a success for J.P. Morgan, and a failure for Edison because his company was taken from him, and his invention of DC was not as successful as