Industrial Entrepreneurs or Robber Barons?
Source: Council for Economic Education (EconEdLink) | Type: Lesson
This lesson focuses on a group of nineteenth century industrial entrepreneurs described in many history books as Robber Barons. It calls upon students to analyze the activities of these entrepreneurs in order to draw conclusions about the innovations and business practices for which they are known. To carry out this analysis, the students examine techniques of mass production, division of labor and vertical and horizontal integration, noting their effects on industrial output and other outcomes. They also read a case study on John D. Rockefeller and discuss the characterization of him as a Robber Baron.
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