Individuals who gained huge wealth during the Gilded Age could be accurately described as robber barons. This would be the best term to describe the wealthy people of the time because of their greed and their ruthless business tactics. People such as Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, and Ford as well as other selfish businessmen would stop at nothing to achieve the great wealth they have longed hoped for.
Robber barons were accused of exploiting workers and forcing horrible working conditions and unfair labor practices upon workers. All they wanted to do was to build up their own wealth and not care for what happens to anyone else such as Rockefeller who created monopolies and trusts for benefiting himself from losing his money in every possible way. Rockefeller also created the Standard Oil Company to increase efficiency.
Unlike the robber barons, captains of the industry cared for their laborers and they were very hardworking businessmen. Instead of gaining their money by stealing and doing other corruptive behavior, captains of the industry worked their way up from nothing and they made an honest living helping themselves as well as others. They also didn't use any pools or trusts to make their money. They made their wealth by earning every penny they had.
As carpet baggers went south, robber barons stayed in the North forming oil and steel companies, railroads, and banks. Although they were greedy they were known as business geniuses because there had been a great debate over whether or not these types of men were beneficial. As Rockefeller combined various oil and refining companies, he also increased production and made the industry more efficient.
All in all, these people during the time were very ignorant and had a very large desire of getting money, not wanting anyone or anything to stand in their way. Even though Rockefeller donated over $600 million to charities, all of his money came from greed, pain, and disrespect. He was a good businessman but his main goal in life was very horrific.
