Robber Barons

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Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Robber Barons'

A disparaging term dating back to the 12th century which refers to:
 
1. Unscrupulous feudal lords who amassed personal fortunes by using illegal and immoral business practices, such as illegally charging tolls to passing merchant ships.

2. Modern-day businesspeople who allegedly engage in unethical business tactics and questionable stock market transactions to build large personal fortunes.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Robber Barons'

Due to the robber barons' unethical business practices, such as the exploitation of labor, the general public typically regards these aggressive capitalists with disdain. However, some historians argue that the late-19th century entrepreneurs usually referred to as "robber barons" - including Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller - are responsible for building a large portion of the U.S.'s current economic clout, because of their large investments in burgeoning American industries. Many also went on to become high-profile philanthropists.
Search results for

'Robber Barons'

  • The Kingpin Of Wall Street: JP Morgan

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/08/jp-morgan-kingpin-wall-street.asp
    ... farmers in a largely agrarian nation. He was the robber king among the
    robber barons. (To learn more about debtor nations, read ...

  • The Evolution Of Banking

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/07/banking.asp
    ... The fact that it took JP Morgan, a banker who was disliked by much of America for
    being one of the robber barons with Carnegie and Rockefeller, to do the job ...

  • A Primer On The Railroad Sector

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/stocks/11/primer-on-railroad-sector.asp
    ... April 07 2011 | Filed Under ยป Stocks, Travel. Maybe it seems quaint that an industry
    most associated with robber barons, the 19th century and the taming of the ...

  • Separately Managed Accounts: A Boon For All

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/05/021405.asp
    ... To understand why they have such a strong appeal to affluent investors, consider
    the history of professional money management. Think back to the robber barons. ...

  • Profit In The Pipeline

    http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2008/Profit_In_The_Pipeline.aspx
    ... The income can be even higher when big oil also doubles as a refiner. Are
    Big Oil Companies Robber Barons? Surprisingly, no. Well ...

  • Top 9 Vacation Destinations For Wall Street Geeks

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/08/geek-vacation-destination.asp
    ... Reserve Was Formed.) While You're There: Check out Jekyll's National Historic Landmark
    District and get a sense of how those 20th century "robber barons" lived ...

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