ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Biographics Andrew Carnegie: Robber Baron or America’s Greatest Philanthropist?
When we look back at someone’s life, it’s often not just a simple matter of good or bad. Andrew Carnegie is a perfect example of this complexity. He was a successful businessman, but his success sometimes came at a cost to others. While he publicly supported his workers, the conditions in his factories didn’t always reflect this. Yet, Carnegie also gave away almost all his wealth to help others, inspiring future billionaires to do the same. Let’s explore the life of Andrew Carnegie and decide for ourselves what his legacy truly is.
First, let’s get his name right. Andrew Carnegie’s last name is pronounced car-NAY-gee, not CAR-ne-gee. He was born on November 25, 1835, in Dunfermline, Scotland, to William and Margaret Carnegie. He had a younger brother, Thomas, who was important to the family business until he died young. Carnegie’s family was not wealthy; his father was a hand-loom weaver. They lived in a small cottage shared with another family. Dunfermline was known for its linen production, which briefly helped the family financially. However, the Industrial Revolution soon replaced hand weavers with machines, leaving Carnegie’s father without work.
In the 1840s, Andrew’s father joined Chartism, a movement aiming to improve workers’ rights. The Chartists wanted all men to have the right to vote, hoping this would shift power from the rich to the common people. Although the movement failed, it’s interesting that Carnegie later opposed workers’ unions, despite his father’s activism.
In 1848, with few opportunities left in Scotland, the Carnegie family decided to move to America, inspired by stories of a better life from Margaret’s sister. They sold their belongings and took a long, uncomfortable ship journey to New York City, eventually settling in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In their new home, the Carnegie family lived in Allegheny City, near Pittsburgh. Thirteen-year-old Andrew needed to work and found a job as a bobbin boy in a cotton mill, earning $1.20 a week. He later said that his first earnings brought him more joy than the millions he made later. Carnegie moved on to better-paying jobs, eventually working as a messenger boy for a telegraph service, earning $2.50 a week. This job introduced him to influential people in Pittsburgh, and he soon became a telegraph operator. In 1853, he started working for Thomas A. Scott at the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Carnegie faced both challenges and successes in the following years. His father passed away, but in 1859, he was promoted to superintendent when Scott became vice-president of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. With a salary of $1,500 a year, Carnegie learned about business and made his first investment, marking the start of his investment career.
During the American Civil War, Carnegie worked closely with Scott to keep the railroads and telegraph systems running for the Union Army. He even met President Abraham Lincoln, whom he admired greatly. Carnegie described Lincoln as a remarkable man who was always kind to everyone.
Carnegie continued to explore new business opportunities during the war, investing in an oil company and starting several manufacturing companies. He saw the potential in steel and adopted the Bessemer process for mass production, which made him a leader in the American steel industry.
Carnegie’s steel business made him one of the wealthiest people in the world. However, financier J.P. Morgan wanted to challenge his dominance. In 1901, Carnegie sold his company to Morgan for $480 million, personally earning around $230 million from the sale. This deal led to the creation of U.S. Steel, the first billion-dollar corporation in the world.
Carnegie remained a bachelor for much of his life, devoted to his mother. However, in the 1880s, he met Louise Whitfield, who was 21 years younger. They married on April 22, 1887, and had one daughter, Margaret. The year 1886 was tough for Carnegie, as both his mother and brother died within days of each other.
Carnegie’s life was not without controversy. After his brother’s death, Henry Clay Frick took on many of Carnegie’s responsibilities. Frick was involved in several scandals, including the Johnstown Flood of 1889, caused by the negligence of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, of which Carnegie was a member. The flood killed over 2,200 people, and the club members, including Carnegie, avoided liability by claiming it was an “act of God.”
In 1892, Carnegie’s reputation as a fair employer was questioned during the Homestead strike. The strike involved workers seeking higher wages, but Frick aimed to cut wages and break the union, leading to violence and state militia intervention. Although Carnegie was in Scotland during the strike, he later expressed regret over the events, but evidence suggests he knew about Frick’s actions.
Carnegie believed that wealthy individuals had a duty to use their money to benefit society. By the time he died in 1919, he had given away over $350 million, establishing thousands of public libraries and supporting educational institutions. His philanthropy set him apart from other industrialists of his time, sparking debates about his motivations and the impact of his business practices.
Divide into two groups and research Andrew Carnegie’s life and actions. One group will argue that he was a “Robber Baron,” focusing on his business practices and controversies. The other group will argue that he was “America’s Greatest Philanthropist,” highlighting his charitable contributions. Present your arguments in a class debate and be prepared to defend your position with evidence.
Create a detailed timeline of Andrew Carnegie’s life, including key events such as his immigration to America, business ventures, and philanthropic efforts. Use online tools or poster boards to visually represent the timeline. Share your timeline with the class and discuss how each event contributed to Carnegie’s legacy.
Engage in a role-playing activity where you take on the roles of Andrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick, a striking worker, and a member of the state militia during the Homestead Strike. Prepare a short script or dialogue to present the perspectives and motivations of each character. This will help you understand the complexities of the strike and its impact on Carnegie’s reputation.
Research one of the institutions or public libraries funded by Andrew Carnegie. Investigate its history, mission, and current impact on the community. Present your findings in a report or presentation, highlighting how Carnegie’s philanthropy continues to influence society today.
Write a letter to Andrew Carnegie from the perspective of a worker in his steel mill or a beneficiary of his philanthropy. Express your thoughts on his business practices or his charitable contributions. Share your letter with the class and discuss the different viewpoints on Carnegie’s legacy.
**Andrew Carnegie: Robber Baron or America’s Greatest Philanthropist?**
When it comes to judging a person’s legacy, things are seldom black or white. Few people can be considered purely good or unequivocally evil. Andrew Carnegie was a man of paradoxes. He was a businessman, and oftentimes, this meant that someone else had to pay the price for his fortunes. Although publicly he championed the welfare of his employees, the working conditions in his many factories and plants didn’t always match his touted values. On the other hand, Carnegie donated almost his entire wealth to humanitarian causes, setting a trend for other billionaire philanthropists who followed. Therefore, it is up to you to decide where exactly his legacy sits as we take a look at the life of industrialist Andrew Carnegie.
**Early Years**
First, let’s clarify the pronunciation of Andrew Carnegie’s last name. As a representative for the Carnegie Corporation of New York specifies, he was Scottish, so the correct pronunciation is car-NAY-gee, not CAR-ne-gee, as many people say. Carnegie was born on November 25, 1835, in Dunfermline, Scotland, to William and Margaret Carnegie. He had a younger brother named Thomas, who played a vital role in the family’s business interests until he died of pneumonia at just 43 years of age. Carnegie had a modest upbringing, as his father was a hand-loom weaver. Their first home was a small cottage shared with another family. At the time of Andrew’s birth, Dunfermline was known for its production of high-quality linen, which provided the family a brief respite from poverty, allowing them to move to a larger house. However, this didn’t last long, as the Industrial Revolution brought steam-powered looms that made hand weavers like Will Carnegie obsolete.
In the 1840s, Andrew’s father joined Chartism, a political movement seeking to improve conditions for the working class. The main goal of Chartists was to obtain universal manhood suffrage, theoretically allowing the masses to take over the government from the aristocracy. Will and his father-in-law, Thomas Morrison, became prominent members and heads of the Chartist chapter in Dunfermline. However, the movement was eventually struck down in Parliament and faded away. It is notable that Carnegie would later oppose unionizing efforts, despite his father’s advocacy for better worker conditions.
In 1848, with few prospects left in Scotland, Margaret Carnegie heard tales of a better life in America from her sister who had already moved there. The family sold their possessions and secured a loan to book passage on a ship from Glasgow to New York City. The voyage was long and miserable, with passengers packed in the cargo hold. However, they ultimately arrived successfully, disembarking in lower Manhattan and continuing west to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
**Life in America**
The Carnegie family settled in Allegheny City, adjacent to Pittsburgh. Thirteen-year-old Andrew needed a job and found one as a bobbin boy at the same cotton mill where his father worked. He earned just $1.20 per week, but Carnegie later stated that none of the millions he made later “gave [him] such happiness as [his] first week’s earnings.” He soon moved on to a job at a bobbins manufacturer, earning $2 a week, and later became a clerk due to his nice handwriting. Eventually, his uncle found him a better job as a messenger boy for the telegraph service, which paid $2.50 per week. This position allowed Carnegie to meet many influential people in Pittsburgh. He excelled and was promoted to telegraph operator a few years later. In 1853, he began working for Thomas A. Scott at the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Over the next few years, Carnegie experienced both ups and downs. His father passed away, but in 1859, he was promoted to superintendent when Scott became vice-president of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. With a salary of $1,500 a year, Carnegie learned the ins and outs of business and made his first investment through insider trading, which was not frowned upon at the time. With his mother’s help, he bought shares in Adams Express stock, marking the beginning of his investment career.
**Business during the Civil War**
During the American Civil War, Carnegie served as Scott’s second-in-command, ensuring the railroads and telegraph systems were maintained for the Union Army. He had the opportunity to meet President Abraham Lincoln and admired him greatly. Carnegie described Lincoln as an extraordinary man who always had a kind word for everyone.
Carnegie continued to seek new business ventures during the war, investing in an oil company and founding several manufacturing companies, including the Superior Rail Mill and Blast Furnaces and the Pittsburgh Locomotive Works. He recognized the growing demand for steel and became an early adopter of the Bessemer process, which allowed for mass production of steel. This investment paid off, making him a dominant force in the American steel industry.
**The Billion Dollar Corporation**
Carnegie’s steel business made him one of the richest men in the world. However, financier J.P. Morgan sought to challenge his dominance. In 1901, Carnegie sold his company to Morgan for $480 million, personally gaining around $230 million from the sale. This merger formed U.S. Steel, the first billion-dollar corporation in the world.
**Personal Life**
Carnegie was a bachelor for most of his life, devoted to his mother. However, in the 1880s, he met Louise Whitfield, who was 21 years younger. They married on April 22, 1887, and had one daughter, Margaret. The year 1886 was devastating for Carnegie, as both his mother and brother died within days of each other.
**Controversies**
Carnegie’s life was not without controversies. After his brother’s death, Henry Clay Frick took on many of Carnegie’s duties. Frick was involved in several scandals, including the Johnstown Flood of 1889, which resulted from the negligence of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, of which Carnegie was a member. The flood caused the deaths of over 2,200 people, and the club members, including Carnegie, successfully argued that it was an “act of God” to avoid liability.
**The Homestead Strike**
In 1892, during the Homestead strike, Carnegie’s reputation as a fair employer was challenged. The strike involved the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers, who sought a wage increase. Frick aimed to cut wages and break the union, leading to violence and intervention by the state militia. Although Carnegie was in Scotland during the strike, he later expressed regret over the events, but evidence suggests he was aware of Frick’s actions.
**Philanthropy**
Carnegie believed that the wealthy had a responsibility to use their fortunes for the betterment of society. By the time he died in 1919, he had given away over $350 million, establishing thousands of public libraries and supporting various educational institutions. His philanthropic efforts set him apart from other industrialists of his time, raising questions about the motivations behind his generosity and the impact of his business practices.
Carnegie – A Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist who led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century. – Andrew Carnegie’s contributions to education and culture are still felt today through the many libraries he funded.
Philanthropy – The desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes. – Philanthropy played a crucial role in the establishment of public institutions during the Industrial Revolution.
Steel – A strong, hard metal made of iron and carbon, used extensively in construction and manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution. – The mass production of steel transformed the infrastructure of America, leading to the construction of skyscrapers and railroads.
Workers – Individuals employed in various industries, often facing challenging conditions during the Industrial Revolution. – The plight of factory workers during the Industrial Revolution led to significant labor reforms.
Legacy – Something handed down by a predecessor, often referring to the lasting impact of an individual’s actions or contributions. – The legacy of Andrew Carnegie is evident in the numerous educational institutions and libraries he established.
Industrial – Relating to or characterized by industry, often associated with the period of the Industrial Revolution. – The industrial advancements of the 19th century drastically changed the economic landscape of America.
Revolution – A dramatic and wide-reaching change in conditions, attitudes, or operation, often referring to the Industrial Revolution that transformed societies. – The Industrial Revolution marked a turning point in history, leading to urbanization and technological progress.
America – A continent and a country, specifically referring to the United States, which experienced significant growth during the Industrial Revolution. – The rapid industrialization of America in the late 1800s positioned it as a global economic power.
Libraries – Buildings or rooms containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for people to read, borrow, or refer to. – Carnegie’s philanthropy led to the establishment of over 2,500 libraries worldwide, greatly enhancing public access to knowledge.
Controversy – Disagreement, typically when prolonged, public, and heated, often surrounding significant historical events or figures. – The methods used by industrialists like Carnegie to amass wealth were often a source of controversy during their time.
