Tuesday Challenge What is the “Industrial Revolution”? What is “Mass Production”?

Robber Barons

Let’s make a couple of predictions: – WHAT DO YOU THINK THE TERM ROBBER BARON MEANS??

Robber: to take money or property from (a person or a place) illegally and sometimes by using force, violence, or threats. – (from Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

Indians were forced off their native lands and were forced onto reservations. Were they robbed?

“Robber barons” is the term used to an American businessman who acquired a fortune in the late 19th century by ruthless means.

While the Native Americans were being robbed of their land, big businessmen were believed to be “robbing” a good portion of the American people. Not everyone believed that their tactics were considered to be “robbing.”

REWIND! The term “robber baron” was first used during feudal times in Europe. (12 th century) Wealthy landowners would steal from travelers who passed through their lands.

FAST FORWARD! Now, a different kind of robber baron came along! They didn’t steal directly from passing through their lands, but they found other wrong and even illegal ways to build enormous fortunes from their businesses.

How did robber barons control industries? Labor prices Long working hours Control of natural resources

“The Biggest of Big Businessmen” Andrew Carnegie John Pierpont Morgan John D. Rockefeller Cornelius Vanderbilt

Andrew Carnegie Came to America poor and began working at the age of 12. Revolutionized the steel industry Controlled the steel industry

John Pierpont Morgan Owned his own bank, J.P. Morgan He controlled American shipping, telephones, telegraphs, electric power, insurance, and railroads. He bought Andrew Carnegie’s company and founded the U.S. Steel Corporation, the nation’s first billion-dollar corporation.

John. D Rockefeller Founded the Standard Oil Company Owned more than 90% of America’s oil refineries. Kept his costs low by buying up companies that let him pump, refine and sell his oil himself.

Cornelius Vanderbilt First built a steamship empire and eventually became one of the country’s largest steamship operators He built another empire with railroads and helped make railroad transportation more efficient He had a reputation for being fiercely competitive and ruthless

Fun Fact! Cornelius Vanderbilt’s grandson, George Vanderbilt built and owned the largest home in America. Can anyone guess which house that would be?

The Biltmore House

Wednesday Challenge: What is a “Robber Barron”? Why was Rockefeller and Carnegie famous?

Monopolies and Trusts

Robber Barron Cartoons

Your Turn Go to your Google Classroom for my class and complete the worksheet on the Standard Oil Trust Political Cartoon.