Tarbell's History of Standard Oil

1. How did Rockefeller set out to acquire control of the oil industry?

     Rockefeller set out to acquire control of the oil industry by knowing every detail of the oil trade. He wanted to be able to reach its furthest point at any time and to control even the smallest factor. This was the way Rockefeller wanted to do business. In the 1870's he already controlled oil refining and transportation. He set out to acquire complete control of the oil industry by organizing the oil markets of the world. He wanted all the markets of the world to belong to him. He set out to replace independent agents and jobbers with his own employees. He mapped out the United States and appointed agents among regional divisions including the southwest and the south. The entire oil buying territory of the country was covered by local agents who reported to division headquarters who reported to the head of the state marketing department whose reports went to general marketing headquarters and so on until they reached John D Rockefeller himself. Mr. Rockefeller's moto was "The coal, oil business belongs to us." This was his guiding principle in acquiring control of the oil industry.

2. Do you think Rockefeller deserved to be called a "robber baron?" Why or why not?

      A "robber baron" is is a derogatory term for a business man or industrialist who used questionable business practices in order to achieve great wealth, often by taking advantage of the disadvantaged or poor. Rockefeller became an incredibly wealthy man. He no doubt employed some business practices that may not have been entirely ethical and may have been questionable and were at the least extremely aggressive. He wasn't satisfied with merely being wealthy, he wanted complete control of the oil industry so that if you wanted to buy oil, refine it, or transport it you had to go through John D Rockefeller. On the other hand, the contributions that Rockefeller and other great industrialist made to the growth of the United States as a power must certainly be considered when you are deciding whether to label him a robber baron. Rockefeller and others like him followed the American Dream of achievement. In spite of this, I believe that anybody who uses unethical business practices to obtain great wealth should be considered a robber baron.