Robber Barons. There were two types of robber barons during this time, the industrial pirates, and industrial statesmen. Industrial pirates cared little for creating anything of lasting value,

        These same claims cannot be made against the second type of robber barons. This robber baron was a businessperson known as an “industrial statesmen.” Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller were prime examples of this robber baron. In fact, they can be closely compared to Robin Hood. These barons were builders instead of wrecking balls. They acquired vast fortunes but also established large enterprises and stayed closely identified with them. Within their companies, they dealt with uncomplicated products, improved their quality, dropped their price, and increased their productivity. The industrial statesmen helped pioneer a bunch of technological innovations that revolutionized American industrial manufacturing. These industrialists paved the way for our modern and complex industrial society. Not even the critics of that time denied them this role. Critics often searched for every single negative aspect of life while the defenders pointed out the positive contributions. The typical story of an industrial statesmen is that of ‘a poor boy who rose to riches through hard work and determination.’ Carnegie considered his work a duty and did not find much pleasure beyond it. Rockefeller is also known to have worked as a chairman rather than a dictator. His intelligence lay in his capability to keep his officers working cooperatively and in an environment of discipline, forthrightness, and communal respect. Rockefeller was able to impose stability upon a once hectic and bloodthirsty industry. His enterprise created thousands of jobs, stimulated the development of new industries, and forged the way in major executive and industrial modernizations. He and his associates were known, in short, as agents of progress. The public deemed their overall contribution to society beneficial. Critics still thought of them as threats to society, just in a better light than industrial pirates. These were just a lesser evil of the two. Critics went on to state that Rockefeller spied on his rivals, sabotaged their businesses, and maintained a small army of agents for whatever dirty work that needed to be done. These same attributes were applied to E. H.Harriman, Conelius Vanderbilt, Henry Havemeyer, Gustavus Swift, Philip Armour, and Carnegie.

        According to the two robber barons, it seems that one was simply less ‘evil’ than the other was. The industrial pirates were more bloodthirsty and greedy. The industrial statesmen acquired these attributes to a lesser degree and managed to leave behind a foundation to be built upon. If I were to be living in that time, I doubt I would notice these differences as much as I do presently. One can only imagine the confusion shared by the public as these few men made mincemeat out of the economy. The majority of people against these types of men were the hardworking laborers who were left jobless after this typhoon of monopolistic enterprises swept them off their feet. I would have felt intense hatred toward these thieves of society and ethics. However, I give them the honor they deserve for the acts they were able to accomplish. I look in scorn at the population at my school that consider baring their assets the most productive act they have accomplished all day; whereas with the robber barons, they were able to overcome their more often than not poor youth and flourish as multimillionaires. Yes, they manipulated the economy in ways that could not be repaired, but they also contributed to the success of America. I believe that in the end, we have benefited from Carnegie and Rockefeller, these modern day Robin Hoods.