who were the robber barons of the 1800s?
Previous answers offer very textbook-style responses, but what if the entire mainstream approach to 19th century social/industrial history is flawed? Entrepreneurs create wealth, but they do not keep it all to themselves. That’s not how enterprise works; only monarchs in conquest gathered wealth without there being trickle-down effects. The standard of living in the U.S. (for instance) rose dramatically thanks to the so-called robber barons. This term is a complete misnomer because “robber barons” were neither thieves nor aristocracy! The phrase is used to discredit their achievements and foment jealousy in anyone who hates people who have something they don’t. Many of us are jealous of anyone who has more money than we do. Look in the mirror and see if it’s true. There is no such thing as a classless society: the difference that makes the idea of capitalism so “radical” is that unlike in traditional societies under feudalism or a caste system, there will always be opportunities for po
