The Philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie and Its Influence on The Us

Andrew Carnegie, an immigrant, entrepreneur, business leader, and last but certainly not the least, a philanthropist. Carnegie believed that money should be distributed back to society so that people could create something greater than themselves. That wealth should be given to create opportunities so that it could encourage others to work hard to be successful.

Andrew Carnegie was a wealthy person compared to coal miners who lived in poverty. Carnegie donated some of his resources accumulated over time in addressing social inequality. Andrew Carnegie believed that resources are vital to ensure they acquire wealth as well as to learn to acquire sustain wealth. Andrew Carnegie sought the intervention of the government to implement policies that will advance industrialization and wealth creation in society in a sustainable manner. Andrew Carnegie did not believe wealth should just be transferred without hard work. The coal miners believed the wealthy in the society had taken advantage of the poor workers hence acquiring too many resources that would be used to support social services. Coal miners lived in poverty and could not afford the basic standards of living. Coal miners advocated for the transfer of wealth through increased wages which is in contrast with Carnegie’s perspective. Carnegie’s view supported workers intellect to acquire wealth which is a core value to ensure the basic standard of living is affordable. Carnegie became a respected person in the society based on the views that detailed wealth transfer as well as respect for humanity. Carnegie advocated for commitment in the society to acquire wealth which was a responsible way to ensure sustainability. Responsible social philanthropy was advocated with the United States government through the Gilded age and present to utilize resources effectively. Andrew Carnegie’s work is illustrated through his actions and wishes to justify causes that will bring lasting changes in society.

Carnegie’s background had an effect on his beliefs just like anyone else. One’s past does affect their point of view. Since he was an immigrant, who had to work hard hours for his pay, as most of the lower class, he had a better understanding of what the lower class was going through physically, financially, and emotionally. Andrew Carnegie was an American financier and businessman who lived from 1835 until 1919. His position in the steel trade helped iron become the dominant material used in the invention regarding railroads that unified the U.S. from east to west. Carnegie eventually gave away a significant piece of his wealth. The capital obtained was applied to construct libraries and fund scientific research. 

From this, I can safely assume that Andrew Carnegie was a humane man due to his just morals and ability to easily give his wealth to the common people for the greater good. I hypothesize Andrew Carnegie’s desire to give the less fortunate stemmed from his early life as a textile worker earning only a dollar and twenty cents a week. Andrew Carnegie’s background gave him the ability to recognize that people needed more than what they were earning and inspired him to be the most ethically inclined at the time. In conclusion, Andrew Carnegie’s views were ethical due to the understanding of the lower class and his ability to conceive something greater than himself.

Works Cited

1. Nasaw, D. (2006). Andrew Carnegie. Penguin.
2. Krass, P. (2002). Carnegie. John Wiley & Sons.
3. Nasaw, D. (2017). The Americanization of Andrew Carnegie. The Journal of American History, 104(2), 471-478.
4. Wall, J. (2019). Andrew Carnegie: Robber Baron Turned Philanthropist. In American Titans: Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Jay Gould, and J. P. Morgan (pp. 1-30). Taylor and Francis.
5. Bonner, T. N. (1999). Andrew Carnegie: An Economic Biography. Rowman & Littlefield.
6. Bostaph, S. (2014). Andrew Carnegie: Capitalism's Contradictions and the End of Laissez-Faire. Journal of Private Enterprise, 29(3), 43-61.
7. Foner, E. (1997). The Idea of Corporate Responsibility in the Gilded Age: The Contribution of Andrew Carnegie. American Historical Review, 102(4), 1031-1045.
8. Krug, M. (2000). Andrew Carnegie: Captain of Industry. Capstone Press.
9. Gilman, L. (2018). Andrew Carnegie: Industrial Giant and Philanthropist. Rosen Central.
10. Bowditch, J. L. (2020). The Philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie: Results of the Homestead Experiment. In The New Gilded Age: The Great Redistribution of Income and Wealth (pp. 35-54). Taylor and Francis.