Andrew Carnegie: The King Of The Steel Industry

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Dunfermline Scotland 1835, a child of a simple handloom weaver was born. A child who would soon grow up to be one of America’s helpful and strongest Businessman. At the age of 14 he was working 12 hour shifts then switched to the telegraph company which by the age of 24 he became superintendent of. It was at this time when Carnegie met many businessmen slowly making money investing paving the way for his future Steel Industry Accomplishment. Many believed Andrew Carnegie to be a Robber Baron selfish and greedy because he made so much money, but in reality it wasn’t just about him he was a Businessman, Philanthropist who cared about the welfare of the less fortunate.
Andrew Carnegie was a businessman, who became known as the king of the Steel …show more content…
At this time in history there weren’t any laws that really protected workers, meaning they had to work in terrible conditions for crazy hours. In his article Sherman stated “ They worked grueling 12-hour shifts, seven days a week. Most had no time to eat during the day, and they were given just one holiday each year--July 4,” like many businessmen, Carnegie had his employees working like this due to his high levels of production. One thing many people judged him for was not only the fact he had his workers in such terrible conditions but their pay was low there was no way they could really support themselves and their family. Sherman gives a perfect example of this when he states “A steelworker's annual pay averaged slightly more than $500. Carnegie, meanwhile, earned about $2 million a year.” Every person learning about Andrew Carnegie should really understand 2 things; one he is the owner so it’s obvious he’d make more money, two this is the late 1800’s early 1900’s laws and life were different then they are now such conditions would not be permitted anymore. Carnegie treated competing companies like most businessmen did, competitively. According to Chambers and Cannon “In years of recession and depression he kept his plants, undercutting competitors…” meaning he’d lower his prices to the point where everyone started buying from his company and running the other ones out of …show more content…
Although he did have negative effects on America such as terrible working conditions, low wage etc his effect was overall positive because he gave back to the community, and he gave a lot. He was not a robber baron but a Captain of industry, an ambitious man who did everything he could to prevail. He was an innovator who gave back a lot he built libraries, bought organs for the church, established pension funds for teacher and even supported scientific undertakings. (Boman) With all this said his ways of amassing a fortune contributed to America in a positive way. His industry and business practices were not ruthless but something that would benefit America in the future, benefit future business leaders and how the treat their
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