Robber Barons- The Pirate Versus The Pioneer

During the Industrial Revolution, the essence of America’s collaborative free enterprise system yielded astonishing economic feats that provided the means for one simple word: Power.  Never in the history of mankind was there an alteration of the economy and industry as massive as that in the Industrial Revolution.  From the scope of modern day, there are two polar opposites that would drive the American economy into success and, interestingly enough, these opposites worked hand in hand.  However, even after a century historians cannot properly associate the acclaim and criticism with those labeled as the “Robber Barons” but it can be certain that they were the people that ensured economic dominance of America beyond the nineteenth century.  The Industrial Revolution marked an era of two types of business leader: the pirate and the pioneer, the robber and the statesman.

            The key to success was leadership and innovation.  Robber Barons were named by critics who were often unsure of the big picture of the economy.  Ruthless and even merciless leading was ground for the highest profits but in turn, largest criticism.  Jay Gould exemplifies the individualist outlook on life in industrial America with his economic manipulation through independence.  Gould’s intentions were neither of alliance nor seeking friendships, rather the economic benefits for his own genius plot.  However Gould was not seen as a strong builder of society, as he was independent in his work.  The essence of the Robber Baron was that exactly- that although in the scope of government revenue and economic perseverance these individualists helped, in the scheme of the present their intentions were merely for themselves. 

            However, where did the money matter the most?  Money is artificial when it is simply circulated through a country, as it represents nothing more than legal tender.  Economic leaders of this time represented the transcending of money from outside sources, developing the country as a whole.  A utilitarian perspective on the Robber Baron era would suggest that the suffering of few (those possibly put out by the Robber Barons) certainly justify the economic impact reaped upon America during this time.  Business leaders that acted meticulously and callously were those that opened the arms of America to new opportunities and the massive development faced during the Industrial Revolution.

             There was another side to business leaders during the Industrial Revolution- those who were not sought after for criticism.  These business leaders were known as “Industrial Statesmen” and varied from the Robber Barons by being builders of American society and culture.  Industrial statesmen gave back to the community and under all circumstances exemplified the word “collaboration” which then exemplified the American dream.  This gave way to both sides of America being shown: the ruthless and the passionate.  The statesmen were pioneers of their craft, blending a sense of community and acceptance that allowed immigrants and natives to work for the greater good of future America (not to be mistaken that there were not cultural clashes).  Historians debate over the labels of industrial statesmen, but one example of a pioneer of the Industrial Revolution was Cornelius Vanderbilt.  Vanderbilt’s intentions were not of individual prosperity alone despite the critical speculation during his time.  On the contrary, Vanderbilt illustrated nearly everything the Industrial Revolution stood for.  With his railroad system, Vanderbilt benefited highly but also introduced a source of transportation that lowered costs, offered new marketing systems, and offered new jobs with higher wages.  The rave of new opportunities was influenced by many other pioneers alike, and helped develop the new America into what it is today.