1. Robber Baron or Captain of Industry?

2. Robber Baron Robber Baron:
is a term used for powerful 19th century American businessmen who were viewed as having used questionable/unfair practices to gain their wealth.

3. Captain of Industry
Captain of industry: was a term originally used in the United Kingdom during the Industrial Revolution describing a business leader whose means of gaining a personal fortune contributes positively to society in some way.
This may have been through increased productivity, expansion of markets, providing more jobs, or acts of philanthropy (charity).

4. Persuasive Character Speech
You will be assigned to ‘become’ one of these wealthy industrialists- we will pick names out of a bag.
Your task is to write and present a 2-4 minute speech to convince us that you are either a robber baron or a captain of industry
We will then vote as a class after each speech to see if you ‘are’ a robber baron or captain of industry.

5. Things to include in your speech:
-Name of Industrialist and Industry they dominated -Background to their lives and how they became successful -Evidence supporting both sides of the debate (robber baron vs. captain of industry) -Final argument on if they are a robber baron or a captain of industry- explain exactly why you think this—be convincing!!!
You should not be reading directly off the sheet of paper while you speak. You are encourage to try to embody your character and become this person

6. Grading
60 point project grade…See rubric!