The Men Who Built America Lecture Notes

Overview

• Post-Civil War America: Emerged stronger, with railroads becoming the largest companies globally.
• Cornelius Vanderbilt: Built the biggest railroad company.
• John D. Rockefeller: Emerges with the oil industry, challenging railroads.
• Railroad-Oil Conflict: Rockefeller declares war on railroads, impacting Tom Scott and Andrew Carnegie.

Andrew Carnegie's Early Years

• Career Start: Began working at age 12 for a Pittsburgh railroad company.
• Mentor: Tom Scott, company president, becomes Carnegie’s mentor, advancing him through the ranks.
• Ambition and Intelligence: Carnegie demonstrated intelligence and ambition, becoming a manager by age 24.

Carnegie’s Steel Bridge Project

• Mississippi River Bridge: An ambitious project that required a mile-long bridge.
• Challenges: High risk of failure, high costs, and a need for innovative construction materials.
• Bessemer Process: Allows mass production of steel, reducing manufacturing time significantly.
• Financial Struggles: Carnegie faced financial issues and had to halt construction temporarily.
• Completion and Innovation: Bridge completed after securing funds and convincing public of steel's strength using a publicized elephant walk.

Rise of Carnegie Steel

• Steel Demand: Increased demand from railroads and construction industries.
• Financial Growth: The successful bridge led to high demand for steel, enabling Carnegie to expand his empire.
• Partnership: Hires Henry Frick, a ruthless businessman, to manage steel operations.

Johnstown Flood Disaster

• South Fork Dam: Owned by the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, which Carnegie was a part of.
• Dam Failure: Led to the tragic Johnstown Flood, killing over 2,000 people.
• Public Backlash: Carnegie felt responsible, stepped away from the club, and began rebuilding his image.

Labor Strife and the Homestead Strike

• Working Conditions: Poor conditions led to a strike at Carnegie’s Homestead Steel Works.
• Strike Response: Frick hired Pinkerton detectives to break the strike, resulting in violence and casualties.
• Public Outcry: Led to widespread disdain and tarnished Carnegie’s reputation.

Carnegie vs. Rockefeller Rivalry

• Competitiveness: Carnegie sought to surpass Rockefeller as the wealthiest man.
• Skyscraper Boom: Carnegie capitalized on the skyscraper boom, increasing steel demand and his wealth.

Impact of the Industrial Titans

• Economic Influence: Carnegie, Rockefeller, and others greatly shaped the American economy.
• Legacy: From revolutionizing industries to philanthropy, the impacts of these men are profound and lasting.

Conclusion

• Continued Rivalries: Carnegie’s ambition led to partnerships and conflicts that shaped modern America.
• Legacy of Innovation: Despite controversies, their contributions laid the foundation for America’s industrial age.