Captain of Industry or Robber Barons

True or False: Business men during the Gilded Age were celebrated for building HUGE business empires but were criticized for the methods for which they amassed their wealth.

• TRUE

• FALSE

A wealthy person who tries to get land or someone else's business through dishonest methods.

• Captain of Industry

• Business Entourage

• Robber Baron

Business men who make life better for everyone and advance society.

• Captain of Industry

• Business Entourage

• Robber Baron

After his retirement, Andrew Carnegie donated most of his money (over $350 million) to establish libraries, schools, and universities as well as a pension fund for former employees. Would he be considered a Captain of Industry or Robber Baron based on this?

• Captain of Industry

• Robber Baron

By 1890, the richest 9% of Americans held 75% of the nation's wealth. The average yearly income for a worker was $380. Andrew Carnegie had a yearly income of $25 million by 1900. Would he be considered a Captain of Industry or Robber Baron based on this?

• Captain of Industry

• Robber Baron

The steamboat and railroad tycoon, Cornelius Vanderbilt continuously cut shipping rates to the to the point that other steamboat and railroad companies could not compete and were forced out of business. Would he be considered a Captain of Industry or Robber Baron based on this?

• Captain of Industry

• Robber Baron

In 1869, Jay Gould and Jim Fisk cornered the gold market by bribing the U.S. Treasury Secretary into not releasing gold into circulation, which drove up the price of gold which Gould and Fisk were hoarding. Would they be considered Captains of Industry or Robber Barons based on this?

• Captains of Industry

• Robber Barons

John D. Rockefeller often resorted to using spies and extortion to influence railroads to work in his favor by offering him kickbacks and rebates that were denied to all his competitors. Would he be considered a Captain of Industry or Robber Baron based on this?

• Captain of Industry

• Robber Baron

In 1895, at the depths of the Panic of 1893, J.P. Morgan loaned the U.S. Treasury $65 million in gold to safeguard the collapse of the U.S. government. Would he be considered a Captain of Industry or Robber Baron based on this?

• Captain of Industry

• Robber Baron

The entrepreneur James J. Hill often donated seed, grain and cattle to farmers who had been affected by drought and depression. Would he be considered a Captain of Industry or Robber Baron based on this?

• Captain of Industry

• Robber Baron