US_Ch5_webquest-5

=**Were "Robber Barons" only donating money to satisfy their guilt of greed?**=

There's a myth that the Industrial Revolution "Robber Barons" felt guilty about their wealth so they spent money on their families and donated a lot, while Muckraker Ida Tarbell wrote that they were men without conscience. Captains of industry truly believed that their business practices were ethical and responsible and gave to charity and various causes because they could, not because of any "guilt." Confusion comes from Andrew Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth in which he says a wealthy businessman who spent accumulated wealth on himself and family was guilty twice: of keeping for himself and depriving society of his talents. Carnegie felt that he was only "guilty" if he did NOT use his wealth to aid his fellow man. He often spoke about the welfare of his workers as well looking to treat them well and maintain their safety. He had come to America as a poor immigrant and built his wealth and by the end of his life was able to give away $400 million. Rockefeller tithed (giving to the church) over $100,000 per year when he was in his 40s. Rockefeller said he put God first, family second, and business third. He gave $35 million to the University of Chicago and poured millions into black schools, Southern schools, and Baptist schools. He also donated a small fortune to wiping out the destructive boll weevil in the South. Eliminating waste and inefficiency he was able to lower the price of kerosene so that it was affordable to all. Whale oil was one of the main sources of energy at the time. By making kerosene less expensive, more whales were saved since whale oil declined until becoming non-existent as a form of energy. Business owners are easy targets because of wealth. However, that's not the full story. Most businesses in America are small businesses (like Knapp's, Goga's, Sunshine Cafe, The Alley...) looking to earn a living. The majority of big businesses donate large sums to charities and produce consumer goods that we all want and use. Certainly there's greed among business but at the same time there is also employment opportunities, consumer goods, funds and charity donations, and in America the ability of anyone to pursuit happiness.


 * 5. Why would calling all captains of industry in the Industrial Revolution "Robber Barons" may not be the best way to describe all entrepreneurs?**

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