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Robber Baron. By Annalee Chadwick, Stephanie Sorensen, and Mckenna Morgan . Definition. a business owner or executive who acquires wealth through ethically questionable tactics . Background . 19 th century
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Robber Baron By 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_(industrialist) • http://www.thefreedictionary.com/robber+baron • http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/industrial-age-america-robber-barons-and-captains-industry