#502 The Industrialists: “Robber Barons” or “Captains of Industry”?

Preparation:

• See unit 5 assignments.

Growth of industry:

• Consider statistics and respond to discussion questions (PDF) on increasing size of industrial establishments, rising industrial output, and value added per worker.
• Together, we will view this slideshow.

"Gospel of Wealth"

• Discuss questions on page 79 of the Course Reader:
  • In this article, how does Carnegie depict the wealthy and the responsibility of being wealthy?
  • How does he depict the poor, and charity for the poor? Why?

Research and evaluate an industrialist

• Each group will research the background of one of the major figures (Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, Leland Stanford, or Cornelius Vanderbilt).
  
• Begin by learning some background on your industrialist:
  
  • ​How did this figure rise to prominence?
    
  • Which companies and industries were they most closely connected to?
    
  • How did they explain their individual success and that of the companies with which they were associated?
    
• Then, prepare a report to the full class on:
  • Which label best describes this individual: “Robber Baron” or “Captain of Industry”? Provide concrete evidence to support your view.
  • Which present-day figure do you think is most like this figure? Why?

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Homework: #503