Robber Barons Vs Captains of Industry

Robber Barons vs Captains of Industry

Essential Question: How can we analyze and identify the difference between “Robber Barons” and “Captains of Industry”?

Unit: Industrial Era 1865-1900

Lesson: Robber Barons vs Captains of Industry

Congratulations!! You have just been hired as an investigative journalist working for "American Times" newspaper during the industrial era. Your editor has assigned you an editorial that could make or break your career. You are to conduct an investigation into a few of America's leading businessmen; some of whom are held in high esteem while others are viewed as evil. It is your job to investigate and determine whether these men are Captains of Industry or Robber Barons?

You will be researching a major industrialist assigned to you by your editor, and your editorial will be printed in the next edition of "American Times". From your report, Americans will be able to decide if your industrialist is a Captain of Industry or a Robber Baron? As a journalist, you must determine one or the other for each industrialist; you cannot sit on the fence.

Robber Baron vs Captain of Industry

By identifying these individuals as captains of industry, we offer a positive impression of their achievements as men of inventiveness who hard work and ingenious strategies transformed the American economy of the post-Reconstruction era and the early 20thcentury. These men are to also be honored for their charitable activities (philanthropy).

In extending the title of robber baron to these men, we emphasize the cruel and self-centered entrepreneurs who took advantage of the worker, whether it be immigrant, female, or child to accumulate wealth. The factory was a place where the worker experienced harsh conditions and poor pay.

Part 1. MEET YOUR DEADLINES!

1. Your research notes on the industrialist that has been assigned to you : Due by the end of tomorrow’s class 1/14/2015 2. Editorial: You must take a stand on whether each man is a Captain of Industry or a Robber Baron, and have evidence to support your decision. Due by the end of Friday’s class 1/16/2014

General Requirements

 12 Point Font, Times New Roman , single spaced

 Catchy Headline

 Sub-Headline with a quote by either one of your industrialists

 Photograph of each man or his industry

 Works cited (this should be on a second, attached page)

Writing Requirements

 An introduction paragraph, at least two body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

 A thesis that takes a specific stance on whether or not your assigned industrialist should be considered a Robber Baron or Captain of Industry.

 At least 5 specific pieces of evidence that support your thesis. -For example: Henry Frick used a private police company (the Pinkertons) to attack laborers during the Homestead Strike, which supports the position that he should be considered a Robber Baron rather than a Captain of Industry.

 Clear analysis of how the evidence you have presented supports your claim or thesis.

Name______

Robber Baron or Captain of Industry?

Name of Industrialist

In what business did he achieve his fortune? (steel, oil, banking…). What contributions (negative & positive) did this industry make to society?

What methods or practices did the industrialist apply in to his competition?

How did the industrialist treat his worker?

Philanthropic Contributions. Did he give money to charity? If so, what? Under what circumstances? What does A People’s History of the United States, by Howard Zinn say about the industrialist?

What does A Patriot’s History of the United States, by Michael Allen and Larry Schweikart have to say about the industrialist?

Name of Industrialist

In what business did he achieve his fortune? (steel, oil, banking…). What contributions (negative & positive) did this industry make to society?

What methods or practices did the industrialist apply in to his competition?

How did the industrialist treat his worker?

Philanthropic Contributions. Did he give money to charity? If so, what? Under what circumstances? What does A People’s History of the United States, by Howard Zinn say about the industrialist?

What does A Patriot’s History of the United States, by Michael Allen and Larry Schweikart have to say about the industrialist?

You will be using the following suggested websites for your research. These sites have been vetted and are suggested but you are not limited to them.

RESOURCES (Begin your research here. DO NOT use Wikipedia)

A Patriot’s History of the U.S. PDF

http://uscrow.org/downloads/A%20Patriots%20History%20of%20the%20US%20-%20Ytsewolf.pdf

A People’s History of the U.S. PDF http://www.thegoyslife.com/Documents/Books/A%20People%27s%20History%20of%20the%20United%20States- %20Howard%20Zinn.pdf

General The Wealthiest Americans Ever (The New York Times)

SparkNotes: The Gilded Age & the Progressive Era

ANDREW CARNEGIE: The Steel Man, Carnegie Steel Company

www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carnegie/

carnegie.org/about-us/foundation-history/about-andrew-carnegie/

www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/23387.Andrew_Carnegie

carnegielibrary.org/exhibit/carnegie.html

J.D. ROCKEFELLER (SENIOR): The Oil Man, Standard Oil Company

www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/rockefellers/

www.johndrockefeller.org/

www.notablebiographies.com/Pu-Ro/Rockefeller-John-D.html www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/23268.John_D_Rockefeller

CORNELIUS VANDERBILT: The Commodore, Steamships & Railroad www.u-s-history.com/pages/h845.html www.biographybase.com/biography/Vanderbilt_Cornelius.html www.stfrancis.edu/content/ba/ghkickul/stuwebs/bbios/biograph/vanderbi.htm

GEORGE PULLMAN: The Engineer, The Pullman Sleeping Car www25.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/georgemortimerpullman.html www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/chicago/peopleevents/p_pullman.html www.pullman-car.com/history/george_pullman.html

J.P. MORGAN: The Big Banker, JP Morgan & Co. www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/1900/peopleevents/pande10.html encyclopedia.jrank.org/articles/pages/6313/Morgan-J-P.html www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/2866937/The-original-Fat-Cat-and-robber-baron-of-his-time.html

HENRY CLAY FRICK: The Man, Coal & Coke (not the soda) Extractor www.netstate.com/states/peop/people/pa_hcf.htm www.nndb.com/people/944/000166446/ www.frick.org/collection/history/henry_clay_frick

JAY GOULD: The Investor, Railroad Developer (be careful, this is NOT Stephen Jay Gould) www.u-s-history.com/pages/h866.html www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/239993/Jay-Gould explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=1-A-1C6 www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Jay_Gould