Question

US History 11 Midterm

Essay: Robber Baron or Captain of Industry
Prompt: Should Andrew Carnegie. John D. Rockefeller. J.P. Morgan, or Cornelius Vanderbilt be remembered as a Robber
Baron or Captain of Industry?
Instructions: Write a four-paragraph essay evaluating whether a specific industrialist (choose from Andrew Carnegie, John
D. Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan, or Cornelius Vanderbilt) should be remembered as a robber baron or a captain of industry.
Incorporate relevant vocabulary words into your essay to demonstrate your understanding of key concepts in American
industrial history.
Vocabulary: Monopoly, Consolidation, Trusts, Robber Baron, Entrepreneur, Philanthropy, Unions, Labor, Industrialists,
Vertical or Horizontal Integration.
Essay Structure:
1) Introduction (1 paragraph)
o Provide a brief overview of the essay's purpose and the industrialist you will be evaluating.
o Define the terms "robber baron" and "captain of industry."
o
Present a clear thesis statement that answers the prompt: should lindustrialist namel be remembered as a
robber baron or captain of industry.
2) Body Paragraphs (2 paragraphs)
o
Paragraph 2:
i)
Describe the industrialist's path to wealth and tactics for wealth accumulation, considering whether
they engaged in practices like "vertical integration," "price manipulation," or "anti-competitive

Answer 1

This essay evaluates whether Andrew Carnegie should be remembered as a robber baron or captain of industry, concluding that he should be remembered as a captain of industry due to his philanthropy and innovative management practices.

Step-by-step explanation:

Introduction:

This essay will evaluate whether Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan, or Cornelius Vanderbilt should be remembered as robber barons or captains of industry. A robber baron refers to an industrialist who amasses wealth through unethical and exploitative practices, while a captain of industry refers to an industrialist who contributes positively to society through philanthropy and innovation.

Thesis statement: Andrew Carnegie should be remembered as a captain of industry due to his philanthropy and innovative management practices.

Body Paragraph 1:

Andrew Carnegie followed a path to wealth through vertical integration, where he acquired all the stages of production in his steel mills, from mines to transportation, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing costs. His implementation of the Bessemer process also revolutionized the steel industry. Although he engaged in anti-competitive practices and utilized questionable labor practices, his contributions to the American industrial landscape and society through philanthropy overshadow these criticisms.

Body Paragraph 2:

Carnegie's philanthropic endeavors are evident in the establishment of numerous libraries and educational institutions, emphasizing the importance of education and knowledge. His philanthropy also extended to scientific research and the arts. These contributions greatly benefited society and demonstrated his commitment to improving the welfare of others.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, despite some questionable practices, Andrew Carnegie's philanthropy and innovation leave a lasting positive impact on society. As a captain of industry, his contributions to education, science, and the arts cannot be overlooked.

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