History Paper The Industrial Revolution brought radical change to the United States in what is now called the Gilded Age. As the country transitioned from an agricultural based economy to a industry based economy, the richest men in American history were crowned. The legacy of these men, now deemed robber barons by some, and captains of industry by others, have shaped America forever. One of the most prominent figures of the time, Andrew Carnegie, pushed America forward, and made amazingly generous charitable contributions, but the scandals regarding the treatment of his employees will forever tarnish his legacy. Andrew Carnegie exemplifies many of the good traits of the rich businessmen of the late 19th century. A Scottish immigrant from …show more content…
Carnegie first constructed libraries at each of of his steel plants. Upon completion, Carnegie delved into a larger project, The Carnegie Institute. The Carnegie Institute cost Carnegie 25 million dollars, and is still one of the finest higher learning institutes in the world today. Carnegie was just getting started however. Upon his retirement, Andrew Carnegie turned philanthropy into a full time business. One highlight of his generosity that we still feel the effect of today is the 5.2 million dollar donation to the New York public library system that established 65 branches. Additionally, 500 cities were granted libraries funded by Carnegie in only three years, a move that cost Carnegie over 50 million dollars and established over 2000 libraries in The United States, Britain, and Ireland. Carnegie then shifted his focus from libraries back to higher learning and donated over 20 million towards higher education, including the establishment of the Carnegie Institution in Washington, established only for scientific research. Simultaneously, Carnegie began one of the first pension systems for teachers at his institutes. This foundation grew to be enormous, and still exists as the Teacher’s Insurance and Annuity Association. In his later years, Carnegie switched his target toward other world events, and lobbying …show more content…
As they arrived on river barges, the workers in town caught wind of what was happening. They greeted the agents with an angry mob of approximately 3000 men, and gunfire broke out. After 14 hours of fighting, the Pinkerton agency men surrendered. The official casualty count of the skirmish was 12 men, 3 agents and 9 steel workers. Although he lost the battle, Carnegie was not ready to be defeated. Only four days later, Carnegie requested 8,500 National Guard troop to the plant. The workers had no chance against this force, and Frick and Carnegie assumed nearly complete control over the town. Once they again assumed control over the town, Frick and Carnegie were ruthless. Strike leaders were charged with crimes, and steel workers wages decreased over 20% in the next five years. Additionally, work days were lengthened from eight to twelve hours and the union went nearly bankrupt. In the next two years, the union lost over half of its members and lost almost all of its power. In this same time period, Carnegie Steel profits continued to soar. Within the next nine years, the company reported over 100 million dollars of profit. In Carnegie’s defense, the events at Homestead reportedly devastated him. He would go on to write that the events at Homestead were “contrary to my ideals, repugnant to every feeling of my nature.” Carnegie was always torn between his moral values and the profits of his companies, and
Andrew Carnegie once said, “No man can become rich without himself enriching others” (Crazy Billionaires Speak: Motivational Quotes by Billionaires on Success, Business and Life 9). Many people associate Andrew Carnegie with his contributions to the economic world during his lifetime and future generations. However, he was also an inspiration to all, because he proved that a person living in tough times could ultimately strive and attain his/her utmost success. Additionally, Carnegie is the embodiment of the American Dream, because he is known as one of the greatest industrialists of his time who grew economically from rags to riches. He strived to achieve world peace and inspired others to follow his footsteps.
In the same article, it states “At the age of 65, Carnegie decided to spend the rest of his days helping others. He had begun his charity work years earlier. But Carnegie expanded his efforts in the early 1900s. He decided to give about $5 million to the New York Public Library in 1901. He
After this war the union forced the Pinkertons to surrender and subsequently withdraw. The victory was short lived as the National Guard arrived, took control of the s Robert G.
Carnegie’s monetary success did not leave him unmindful of his journey in life, he maintained his identification with the working
His companies allowed for the heating of millions of homes and the construction of thousands of skyscrapers in America. He gave immigrants and American citizens working opportunities in the booming cities. While being the head of great businesses, Andrew generously donated millions of dollars to the sciences, the building of libraries and even gave over $10 million worth of pension money to teachers throughout America. Was Andrew Carnegie a generous benefactor or, perhaps, a money hungry robber baron? Andrew donated millions from his fortune to help the lives of the growing American population.
Since then, Carnegie’s fortune has given support to everything from the creation of Sesame Street and Pell Grants to the discovery of insulin and destruction of nuclear weapons. His work has shaped public discourse and policy for over a century. His generosity has also benefited millions of people. As the first president of Corporation, he endowed in perpetuity with $135 million dedicated to the promotion of education and international peace (Carnegie 655). His primary intention was to benefit US citizens, but letter used part of his funds to help British Overseas Commonwealth
Andrew Carnegie created the worlds largest and most profitable steel company making him one of the wealthiest men in the world. Carnegie believed that certain people had the ability do certain things and you must overcome obstacles to do the impossible. Meaning if you have the money and means you are more fit than others. He justified his wealth as benefiting society and promoting civilization.
The context given over Andrew Carnegie led me to believe many things going towards him as a human. Andrew Carnegie had many things accomplished in his life there is much evidence backing up him as a businessman, boss, and one of the richest men in the world. Andrew Carnegie was a classic rag to riches tail, from him coming to the US as an immigrant to being one of the richest and most eager men in the world. He immigrated to the US due to the swinging door policy the states had, allowing new races cultures, etc, to come over to the US and began a new life. During the time he immigrated to the US, there was a large-scale boom in the economy due to the industrial revolution allowing there to be more potential for success.
Carnegie could have easily ignored the issues and let it die out, but he seemed to have tried and fix the problem. We are not sure why he didn't increase wages, and so we have to assume there was something holding him back. To compensate though, he gave away 4 million dollars, from his pocket, to a Homestead relief fund
The men that built America as they are called, are in fact Captains of Industry. Without them America would not be what it is today, the jobs they created and the things they invented helped make America a world power. Carnegie gave away almost his entire fortune before he died. Which was $350 million, in today’s money that is $13.7 billion. The captains of industry helped create thousands of jobs which allowed more people to work.
Innovator., 2015). In addition, Andrew Carnegie is best known for his charitable impact on public libraries across the United States and the world. Andrew Carnegie decision to fund and to help build libraries across the United States was born from a passion to help others and the impact libraries could have on a community. Andrew Carnegie came from poverty; he later donated sixty million dollars to fund 1,689 public libraries across the United States (Stamberg, 2013). The belief that it was one’s responsibility to give back, and his belief that public libraries can be instrument of change were the reasons that Carnegie funded and built libraries.
Andrew Carnegie, A man of many talents, that never gave up, and always strived for perfection. When you think of the economy and how far along it has came since 50 years ago one name should come to mind, Andrew Carnegie . He was the top person when it came to steel and made a lot of money doing it. Andrew Carnegie, played an important role in United States history, which brought about an exponential change in the United States “Carnegie was born on November 25, 1835, in the small Scottish town of Dunfermline, near Edinburgh. His father, William, had been a successful weaver and moved to Dunfermline from a tiny settlement in order to be closer to the center of trade.”
Carnegie was not a hero, because a hero does a deed selflessly, but he thought a lot about himself. 184,400,000 dollars was spent on big-name corporations and associations that would honor him by naming a meaningful belonging after him (Doc C). Carnegie was a man who wanted to feed his ego but should have donated money to help the community, not make himself known. Andrew Carnegie was not a true hero. Many may say, going from rags to riches makes Carnegie a hero.
He believed that if the wealthy don't give back some of their profits to the community, they are living a dishonorable life, and although I didn't necessarily agree with this radical viewpoint at first, I now am a firm believer in Carnegie's argument about wealth.
During the late 19th century, there was a growth in industrialization. This brought new opportunities for the poor and the rich. For example, Carnegie helped build the steel industry in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, which made him one of the richest man in the world. As Carnegie gained more wealth, he questioned who money should be given to. Carnegie was both a Robber Baron and a Captain of Industry.