USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Railroad tycoons were just one of many types of so-called robber barons that emerged in the Gilded Age . These men used union busting, fraud, intimidation, violence and their extensive political connections to gain an advantage over any competitors.

Detailed explanation-2: -"Robber baron” is a term used frequently in the 19th century during America’s Gilded Age to describe successful industrialists whose business practices were often considered ruthless or unethical. Included in the list of so-called robber barons are Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and John D. Rockefeller.

Detailed explanation-3: -The term robber baron derives from the Raubritter (robber knights), the medieval German lords who charged nominally illegal tolls (unauthorized by the Holy Roman Emperor) on the primitive roads crossing their lands or larger tolls along the Rhine river.

Detailed explanation-4: -Today’s so-called robber barons or captains of industry run digital monopolies, using similar 19th century tactics to drive out competition, exploit customer’s personal information, avoid taxes and engage in highly unethical business practices.