Debunking the Myth of the Robber Barons: 1850-1910
The Gilded Age, a period of immense industrial growth in America from roughly 1870 to 1900, is often painted with a broad brush: a saga of “robber barons,” ruthless capitalists who amassed fortunes through exploitation and manipulation. But this simplistic narrative, while emotionally resonant, obscures a more complex reality. A nuanced examination reveals a crucial distinction between two types of entrepreneurs: those who built their empires through innovation and competition, and those who thrived on political connections and government favors....