Captain Of Industry Dbq

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Businessmen of the Gilded Age like Carnegie, Rockefeller, Morgan, and Vanderbilt were captains of industry. Industrialists economically improved the United States by contributing the most money, which was made from the successes of their companies. In addition, they were financially beneficial to communities and set an example of philanthropy and lifestyle for others to follow. Moreover, they resorted to unscrupulous tactics not only for their financial gain, but for America’s financial gain as well. People who believe that captains of industry are robber barons may say that they didn’t financially benefit the U.S. economy during the Gilded Age. However, they are incorrect. In Document A-1. Source: Andrew Carnegie, Wealth and Its Uses [1907], …show more content…

In Document A-2. Source: Andrew Carnegie, “Wealth”, North American Review [1889], Carnegie says, “This, then, is held to be the duty of the man of wealth: First, to set an example of modest, unostentatious living, shunning display or extravagance;…” Carnegie means that it is the job of the wealthy to be role models that promote a simple, non-materialistic lifestyle. In Document C-2. Historian B, 1953, Historian B says, “They also created a model of philanthropy for all to follow.” For example, in Document A-2. Source: Andrew Carnegie, “Wealth”, North American Review [1889], Carnegie says, “…and after doing so, to consider all surplus profits which come to him simply as trust funds, which he is called upon to administer …to produce the most beneficial results for the community-the man of wealth thus becomes the trustee and agent for his poorer brethren, bringing to their service his superior wisdom, experience and ability to administer [the wealth] for them far better than they would or could do for themselves.” Carnegie is saying that the wealthy should utilize their surplus profits to enhance the welfare of the community. In Document Set B: “The Protectors of our Industries,” Puck, 1883, there is a political cartoon of industrialists who only care about their wealth being carried by their underpaid workers. However, the political

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