The 19th century saw a universal transformation from agricultural society to industrialization in America. New technologies and manufacturing techniques have allowed several men to become immensely powerful. People sometimes classified these men as “captains of industry,” whose resources, intellect, and power could be used for the public good. More often, however, the pejorative term "robber baron" was attributed to the business titans of the late 1800s. Robber barons amassed wealth through treachery, corruption, monopolies, and conspiracies. Whether oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller was a robber baron was thoroughly debated by Matthew Josephson, who argued that Rockefeller was indeed a robber baron, and Ron Chernow, who argued the opposite. As Josephson argued, John D. Rockefeller was one such capitalist whose monopolies, exploitation of the poor, and unethical business practices warrant him the title "Robber Baron." Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay John D. Rockefeller used the power of monopolies in his evil conquest of oil in America. As oil was being discovered in America, Rockefeller foresaw the overwhelming potential of the oil industry (Josephson, 29). Determined to take control of this nascent market, Rockefeller launched himself into both a horizontal and vertical oil monopoly. It wanted not only to take over competitors, but also to control every aspect of oil, from production to transportation, refining to distribution. Tirelessly, Rockefeller worked through intimidation to ensure success (Josephson, 32). He also made deals with railroad companies to increase profits (Josephson, 32). Rockefeller's ruthless monopolization went unpunished for years. Yet his monopoly on oil was only the first of his robber baron vices. John D. Rockefeller's exploits were anything but victimless crimes, and his subsequent philanthropy would never make up for the misery he caused so many thousands of lower-class workers in America. Rockefeller made life hell for those who didn't sell to him. One of the business partners of the father of the famous journalist Ida Tarbell killed himself because of a bad deal (Chernow, 38 years old). Fires and accidents abounded in Pennsylvania's already troubled mines. The workers tried several times to form unions, but Rockefeller wouldn't have it. Thus, such horrors continued to abound in America's pre-labor laws thanks to robber baron John D. Rockefeller. The way Rockefeller conducted his business transactions is perhaps the most atrocious of anything he did in his life. Rockefeller began his streak of financial betrayals with the founding of the South Improvement Company. The South Improvement Company was a small trust of oil refineries that funneled profits directly to themselves (Josephson, 32). Rockefeller forced everyone who entered his trust to sign a secrecy pledge. Members benefited from discounts while everyone else suffered sky-high prices. Those who wished to enter the trust were valued and purchased at half, sometimes a third of their value (Josephson, 34). Oil industry outsiders faced a lose-lose situation: sell to Standard Oil for far less than it was worth or make no profit at all. As Rockefeller officials put it: “If you don't sell us your property, it will be worthless, because we have an advantage with the railroads” (Josephson, 34). In a classic example of.