Where Nineteenth-Century Entrepreneurs Robber Barons?

Were Nineteenth-Century Entrepreneurs Robber Barons? John Tipple "Big Business and a New Economy"� vs. Alfred D. Chandler "The Beginnings of Big Business in American Industry"� Many people wonder if the big businessmen of the late nineteenth century, also known as the "Gilded Age,"� were "Robber Barons."� John Tipple, a professor of history, portrays big businessman of the late nineteenth century as criminal and cheating individuals whose power and greed eroded the nation's image of traditional American values. Tipple views these powerful businessmen as money hungry robbers, known as "Robber Barons."� On the other hand, Alfred D. Chandler, Jr., professor of business history, believes that these American entrepreneurs and their big corporations empowered the country's economy and provided a new beginning for American citizens. Chandler views the operations of entrepreneurs as an important marketing strategy that promotes the expansion of America's urban market.

Andrew Carnegie, American businessman and philanth...

Andrew Carnegie, American businessman and philanth...

Chandler Farmers Market

John Tipple's "Big Businessmen and A New Economy"� states that these big corporation businessmen of the "Gilded Age"� were greedy individuals that dominated the economy and may be referred to as "Robber Barons."� These corrupt businessmen did not care about their consumers or employees. The "Robber Barons"� only cared about how to gain more profit for their corporation. John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie, dominant businessman of the late nineteenth century, monopolized the oil and steel industries. These shrewd businessmen known a "Robber Barons"� made billions of dollars and controlled their industry. Small businesses could not match the low and fixed prices, production rate, and rebates that the large corporations used to control the national urban market. Big corporations overran their efforts to compete.. Tipple saw these ruthless businessmen as dishonest and did not believe in their business techniques.

Andrew Chandler, the author...