by Nicholas Quadri Mellish, SDSU
Students are to examine the lives of robber barons and philanthropists of the Industrial Revolution. What were their contributions or non-contributions to society? How were these men or women viewed through the eyes of their employees?... their associates?... themselves?... the nation? Students will then create a commemorative memorial of a non-fictional individual of that age.
Introduction
John D. Rockefeller. Leland, Stanford. Andrew Carnegie. You have all heard these names from friends, family, media, and from almost anywhere or anyone else that knows them. But who are they really? Are they business leaders? Are they robber barons? Or are they a mixture of what was America during the Industrial Age? They are the individuals who helped shape modern America, the ones who made America an economic giant. At the same time, they were also individuals who took advantage of the many poor immigrants pouring into America, defied the government's laws towards big business, and ignored some of the most basic human rights that America promises to its citizens. So, it is up to you to find out who these individuals really are, to research beyond what the textbook says, what your friends say, or what the media tells you. You are going to investigate these individuals and create a commemorative project to their legacy, whatever you decide it may be. The world needs to know who these complicated people were and the world is relying on you to help them demystify these individuals.