Rockefeller and Carnegie, Robbers or Innovators?

Carnegie

          For this lesson and the next two, my class is taking a different approach to learning the material. Instead of the usual where you would listen to the teacher, follow her instructions, and take notes on the material she tells, we are giving the opportunity to learn everything on our own. As a class we watched videos and looked at primary sources about Rockefeller's and Carnegie's contribution to history. We then took notes as a class on a google document. Finally, we came up with an essential question for this unit and we created 40 questions that would eventually be on my classes final exam. The essential question we came up with was, were Carnegie and Rockefeller robber barons or captains of industry?  
In my opinion, both Rockefeller and Carnegie were captains of industry. Also they were men who very generous. Although Rockefeller

Rockefeller

was accused of using illegal tactics and cut throat tactics to get his money, he did do good in the world. One thing he did was cut down the prices of his product. This was good for the economy and had the public crawling to him. So, although many newspapers and people despised Rockefeller, many continued to buy his products because he brought a new type of way to run business. Another good thing he did, is he quietly gave back to the public. While the newspaper industry attacked him, Rockefeller would donate some of his money to charity and educational institutions. Just like Rockefeller, Carnegie did make a lot of money, but he gave back to the public as well. Carnegie gave millions of dollars to advance education. establish public libraries, and promote world peace. Along with that he advanced U.S. economy by coming up with a new more efficient and cost effective way to manufacture steel. Without these men the economy during mid 1800's would have not been merely as important.

Bill Gates

             There is no question that Rockefeller and Carnegie probably made their money without being completely honest or fairly, but they left a positive effect on humanity. They helped out in advancing the economy by cutting prices and creating new efficient way to manufacture products. But, they also helped out society. This shows that it's not how you make the money, but what you do with the money you have. Another rich man, today, who is positively affecting society is Bill Gates. Gates is worth an estimated $65 billion and he has decided to give away all his money to help those less fortunate than him. Already he has given $28.5 billion to multiple charities. One thing he focuses on are diseases that kill people, especially children. One disease that he has focused on recently is polio. Bill and his wife, since 2013, are in the process of investing $1.8 billion over the next six years to foundations looking to find a  cure for polio. Gates is just one example who is using his money to make a difference just like Rockefeller and Carnegie. In a sense, if none of these men had money, they would not be able to contribute to the world what they have. Without Rockefeller and Carnegie, the U.S. we know today would not be the same.



Sources
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/bill-gates/9812672/Bill-Gates-interview-I-have-no-use-for-money.-This-is-Gods-work.html
http://www.edline.net/files/_EfGYe_/f55c55cde748ef0d3745a49013852ec4/John_D_Rockefeller_Bio.pdf
http://www.edline.net/files/_EfGX5_/a11882b861a51a603745a49013852ec4/Andrew_Carnegie_Bio.pdf
http://www.edline.net/files/_EfHIe_/cf8ad07e3892cfd73745a49013852ec4/Doug_Ernst-Inquiry_Lesson-Robber_or_Captain.pdf