Bobber Barons :: Free Essays

The American work ethic is something our country should be proud of. Since the days of George Washington Americans have worked hard for what they believe in, what they need, and what they want. It is our right as Americans to be able to work for these ideals. Without out a strong work ethic our country would crumble. From businessmen to politicians a strong work ethic is necessary to keep our country financially and politically stable.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  People like Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, and J.P. Morgan are men who possessed the intellect, the foresight, and most importantly the work ethic to become powerful industrialists. These men displayed their work ethic to the country by being ruthless and tireless. They started something so important that a hundred years later it is still making a huge contribution to our country (Maury Klein pg. 32). What they started was the industrial revolution. Today our country is the most powerful in the world because of our great wealth. This wealth comes from the strength of our industry. â€Å"If thou does not sow, thou does not reap†(Hofstadter Recon.-Present Day pg.79). Carnegie, Rockefeller, and Morgan are the epitome of this statement.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Some of these industrialists’ methods may not have been fair. However, unfair acts are not always illegal acts. For the most part these men stayed within the boundaries of the law. In the cruel world we live in it is necessary to be ruthless in your work. There are several people who took their ruthlessness too far and contributed nothing to society but worked only for their own personal fortune. An example of this type of industrialist is Jay Gould (Maury Klein pg. 34). He is a robber baron in the truest sense of the word. However most of the powerful industrialists had financial goals for themselves as well as society. Had Rockefeller not been ruthless in building his railroad empire, our country would not have had as strong a railroad system.