Research Paper On The Gilded Age

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”.

The robber barons did everything they can to keep wealth. These men acted like they were helping the people but the truth is they were helping themselves not the society. They forced the society by charging out difficult rates, and discriminating against small businessmen. In American politics, the

The growth and resulting conflicts of these three eras, Reconstruction, The Settlement of the West, and the Gilded Age, are primarily positive. During Reconstruction alone, laws such as the Reconstruction Act and the 13-15th amendments (the Equal Rights amendments), which banned and reduced the results of racial discrimination. Slaves like Henry McNeal Turner had wanted to be considered people, and they were getting their moment in the sun. African Americans were no longer considered slaves and treated like useless objects. They were being accepted in the united states.

In a time when economics and advancements were the most crucial parts of life, there were entrepreneurs who took advantage of their wealth and status to manipulate the economy and the less fortunate citizens. It is a powerful question throughout history whether these influential yet dictatorial men were captains of industry who allowed the economy to advance and flourish or robber barons who benefitted off the work of the lower classes and the betrayal of democracy. It is not arguable, however, that the only correct answer to this question would be that these men flourished and exceeded through the exploitation of the labor of the lower class which leads to the conclusion that they were robber barons. These men such as Cornelius Vanderbilt

The Gold Rush of 1849 is a classic part of American history. However, it 's not over. History tends to repeat itself. While all of other Earth 's resources are being drained our favorite golden metal is still widely available. According to analysts, approximate 95% of all golden material that has ever been mined is still available.

Robber Barons and Captains of Industry Some might believe that the businessmen of the Gilded age are robber barons because of how some of them treated their workers and spent their money. The businessmen of the Gilded Age were captains of industry because of the impact that they made on the country. Carnegie, Rockefeller, Morgan, and Vanderbilt all have done things that can identify them as captains of industry. These businessmen gave their time and effort to help the economy grow.

During Americas Gilded Age there were many different types of issues society had to work through. There were conflicts of many different shapes and sizes; including everything legal, political, social and anything that exists between these broad topics. On controversial topic that encompasses all of these subjects and echoes through out the whole were labor unions. How scandalous was in for the labor force of America to believe that they had the right to ask for a stake in the American dream? The immigrants starting there unions were seen as, “‘ great sticklers for high wages, small production and strikes”.

The Bourbon Democrats bolstered a free market approach, with low levies, low charges, less spending and, as a rule, a Laissez-Faire (hands-off) government. They contended that levies made most products more costly for the shopper and financed the trusts (syndications). They additionally reproved dominion and abroad extension. By difference Republicans demanded that national success relied on upon industry that paid high wages, and cautioned that bringing down the duty would be a fiasco since merchandise made by low-wage European assembly line laborers would surge American markets. The political history of the Gilded Age is normally lessened to a story of debasement and outrage.

In the Gilded Age, the division of power was more prominent than ever. It caused people of lower wealth to suffer financially and physically, leading to a harmful, stagnant society. Because of the low-paying jobs that were offered only to the people of the lower class, it made it financially impossible for the “poor” to elevate into the middle and upper classes. As depicted in the political cartoon titled “ The Protectors of Our Industries”, “cloth workers averaged $9 a week, linen workers averaged $11 a week, and lumber workers averaged $6 a week, all while providing for their families, who in relation to the rich had more people to take in account for.

Also, if you look at today’s society there is no over using that term the people in the 19th century were not use to people having great wealth and being over these big corporations, well we are. Robber Barons were seen as the portrayal of these big businessmen, as a warlike bandits, cheating and plundering their way to millions. It was any man with wealth over a big corporation that was considered a Robber Baron. But, that is not was a Robber Baron is! A Robber Baron is a ruthlessly powerful U.S. capitalist or industrialist considered to have become wealthy by exploiting natural resources, corrupting legislators, or other unethical means.

The late 19th century was full of growth, production, and business. People were craving power and seemed to achieve this through any means necessary. Consequently, a new business elite formed consisting of the richest men alive. The way in which these individuals acquired all their profits is something very contradictory even over one-hundred years later. Some historians characterize these businessmen as “robber barons” who used extreme methods to control and concentrate wealth and power, and being supported by multiple sources, this statement is justified but only to some extent.

After the Civil War, the Second Industrial Revolution was established due to America’s rapid growth for industry and economics. Capitalists during the industrial period of 1875-1900’s were either accused of being a robber baron or a captain of industry. Some capitalists leaders who were accused of being a robber baron or captain of industry included J.P. Morgan, Andrew Carnegie, Andrew W. Mellon, and John D. Rockefeller. A robber baron is a business leader who gets rich through cruel and scandalous business practices. The captains of industry is a business leader who wants to better the companies in a way that it would be positively contributing to the country.

Cornelius Vanderbilt, and John D. Rockefeller are both labeled as robber barons. Robber barons is a term that means that they stole and were granted special rights, so that they could create monopolies in their fields. This concept is completely wrong though, since both Vanderbilt and Rockefeller worked hard to earn everything they received. Rockefeller and Vanderbilt were both businessmen who made wise business decisions, and created deals that would benefit them.

The Golden Age emerged after the Persians were defeated in war. It laid the foundations of western civilization where advancements in areas such as art, literature, poetry and philosophy were made. One circumstance that led to the end of the Athenian Golden Age was the murderous war between Athens and Sparta ( Barrett, n,d). During the time of the Golden age the two most powerful city states were Athens and Sparta. Athens wanted to be stronger and Sparta wanted to weaken Athens.

Why the Elizabethan Age was Called “Golden Age” ? Elizabethan age was named after Queen Elizabeth the first, she was an illegitimate child, after the death of all of her siblings she claimed the throne at the age of 25 and held it for 44 years. She loved England greatly which inspired people to have unbounded patriotism that is exult in the poetry of Shakespeare and Spenser. In that era, the economic conditions had settled, therefore, they became interested in literature as a source of leisure. As a result, literature had reached the highest point of its development which effected the English literature.