Andrew Carnegie, Robber Baron or Captain of Industry?

Andrew Carnegie was an American industrialist and philanthropist. He lived from 1835-
1919 and affected many lives in positive and negative ways. His wealth was so great that it still
affects Americans today. He believed in giving, instead of taking, and thought more of others
than himself. Andrew Carnegie was not only a Captain of Industry but a selfless man who gave
to the poor and supplied the country with education and gifts that were for the betterment of
society.

Andrew Carnegie did many things throughout his lifetime. His greatest achievement
however was the expansion of the steel industry and the fortune that came with it. He provided
jobs to workers and helped the United States economy and steel production grow more than
anywhere else in the world. He gave away about 90% of his fortune in hopes of providing
education to improve society. (bartelby.com) Andrew established over 2,500 public libraries and
helped provide organs to people whose bodies were failing. (pbs.com) His philosophies showed
how he viewed money, saying in his written work “Gospel of Wealth'', “The man who dies rich
dies disgraced.” (Doc B) Him saying this proves his ideologies of his role in giving to the
community instead of keeping the money to himself. He also wrote, “... the duty of the man of
wealth (is to) set an example of modest living; and to consider all surplus revenues as trust funds
to produce the most beneficial results for the community.” (Doc B) He was not a person who
said things and did not mean them, he showed through his actions the generosity of giving away
most of his fortune.

Others believe Andrew Carnegie was a Robber Baron for how he treated his workers. He
was known for being against unions and treating his workers unfairly. (ipl.com) The money he
donated and gave to society did not come from anywhere. Wages were cut; men, women, and
children were affected by the price gouging and back-breaking work. (Doc D) Some even argue
his donations negatively impact society, instead of being for the greater good. William Jewett
Tucker said in one of his critically acclaimed works, “In the long run, society cannot afford to be
patronized. any community should advance slowly than to gain altogether by gifts rather than, in
large part, by earnings.”(Doc E) He believes that the gifts Andrew gives to society make people
believe they can do nothing and still get money donated to them. The gifts made people believe
money can be handed to them without hard work.

The way Andrew treated his workers was wrong, however, I believe the donations he
gave almost canceled these actions. He didn't grow up wealthy, he grew up impoverished in
Scotland and worked at a cotton factory as a little boy where he only made 1.20$ an hour.
(history.com) Andrew put his money where his mouth was. Although he gave donations to
society, he believed in treating his workers how he was treated. Why should they be treated
differently than he was if started where they were and now making millions of dollars? The gifts
he gave to society did not make people rely on him. The libraries that were built off his money
still provide education to young scholars today. These actions of malice towards his workers
were wrong, but people should not ignore the things he did to boost the economy and make the
United States a leader in the world production of steel.

In conclusion, Andrew Carnegie was a Captain of Industry who had some Robber Baron
tendencies. Overall his actions show generosity instead of malice. His way of life proved not
only was he a good Philanthropist, but a good person. He boomed the economy, gave jobs to
thousands, provided education, and gave away millions of dollars. Andrew Carnegie was human.
He did things wrong, but he also did many good things. He paved the way for future business
owners to strive for greatness which in the long run benefits consumers and even smaller
business owners. He started from almost nothing, his life was not easy. He could have been
greedy and kept the money towards himself, but instead gave most of it away. Andrew
Carnegie's ideologies and generosity guide business owners today on how to be successful, and
how to be better.