Robber Baron
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Transcript of Robber Baron
Robber BaronBy Annalee Chadwick, Stephanie Sorensen, and Mckenna Morgan
Definition• a business owner or executive who acquires
wealth through ethically questionable tactics
Background• 19th century• It combines the sense of criminal ("robber") and
illegitimate aristocracy ("baron").
Who was a Robber Baron?• The term grew from the overwhelming power • Often referred to as industrial giants • wielded over many aspects of society • and the resentment those suffering under their
yoke felt
How they went about Business• Used the capitalist system to exploit workers• Formed anti-competitive trusts• Place the accumulation of wealth above all else
Beliefs • The rich could use whatever means necessary to
increase their riches • This counter acted the ideals upon which the
United States was founded
Early 21st Century • The public looked back and viewed the robber
barons much more favorably than they were viewed in their own life times
Morgan and Rockefeller • Acquired tremendous wealth• But then donated large sums to philanthropic and
cultural causes • Both had an innate sense of the social
responsibility that came with great prosperity• Both worked diligently through their later years
Conclusion• America’s favorite source of historical information
helped soften the sharp edges of many Robber Barons
• Many robber Barons have been the subject of big general history biographies that have been predominantly favorable
Sources • http://
www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Robber_barons.aspx• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robber_baron_(industr
ialist)
• http://www.thefreedictionary.com/robber+baron• http://
edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/industrial-age-america-robber-barons-and-captains-industry