Were the nineteenth century entrepreneur's robber barons? The answers have
             differing opinions as to who is answering them. One thing is for certain though, the big
             business entrepreneur's did make decisions to increase their profits but on the other hand
             their decisions often promoted economic growth, which created new jobs.
             The industrial leaders of the late nineteenth century were virtually untouchable by
             laws and regulations of America. These business leaders generally influenced the law
             makers of our country. Often the American Congress were more partial to the big
             business in hopes of receiving kick backs for favorable voting for laws helping the
             corporations. Thus the phrases "Rich mans club" and the "House of Dollars" came about
             The business men who controlled the big corporations lived a lifestyle that was on
             total polar opposite worlds of the common industrial worker. John D. Rockefeller was
             estimated to be worth $815,647,796.89 in 1892, and Andrew Carnegie averaged
             $7,500,000 a year from 1889 to 1899. This disparity in income did not go over to well
             American's in the late nineteenth century for the most part still believed in
             individualism, so when big business leaders started controlling the lives of thousands of
             people they saw it as a shot at American heritage. Also with the strength and influence of
             the large corporations, competition of the small business's in the market economy was
             On the other hand, big businesses did stimulate the economy which
             created more jobs for the common man. Goods and products that were mass produced
             came with lower price tags therefore allowing more people to buy them. This increase in
             buying power led to a better lifestyle for many Americans.
             The development of the big corporat
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