Carnegie, Rockefeller, and Vanderbilt should be considered as “Captains of Industry” and not “Robber Barons.” They are Industrial Tycoons and should be considered as “Captains of Industry” because they used their business skills to strengthen the economy. They also knew how to use their money and power for good. There is lots of proof that Carnegie, Rockefeller, and Vanderbilt are on the good side.
Andrew Carnegie was a very good businessman. “He was a “self made man” in both his economic development and intellectual and cultural development” said Colonel James Anderson (Wikipedia). Carnegies steel company pretty much controlled the American steel industry. Carnegie also got super rich off of his business skills. In 1901, he sold his company to a banker for 480 million, and then he retired. At one point in time he was named the second richest man in the world, which brings me to the richest man, John D. Rockefeller.
Probably the most successful businessman ever was a man named John D. Rockefeller. He was like a god in the standard oil industry. “My two ambitions in life are to make 100,000 and to live 100 years” said a young Rockefeller (Nevin, Allen). When he was close to dying at the age of 97, he was worth about 1.4 billion. He has one of the most well-known names in the world. Which brings us to another well known entrepreneur named Cornelius Vanderbilt.
Out of these three men, Vanderbilt would be the third richest man around. “He was a ruthless steamboat entrepreneur . . . later he started buying out railroads.” That is when he started making most of his money. Even though he was a good guy, he beat out his competition by buying them out. That is a very smart tactic to get more money. He was so kind that he also gave some of his money to colleges.
The object of the game was, and still is to get the most you can. If you have to buy out a company or two, shut down some ones business, or even make a couple of families homeless, then go ahead, do what...