Question

AP US History question:

Historians have often portrayed the capitalists who shaped post-Civil War industrial America as either admirable “captains of industry” or corrupt “robber barons”. Evaluate which of these descriptions is a more accurate characterization of these capitalists.

Answer 1

Although there definitely existed "robber barons" who took advantage of a delicate and changing situation, most of these men were mostly well-meaning people who wanted to capitalize on an opportunity, and whose actions increased the welfare of many Americans.