Participate in a role play mock trial for robber barons. Pair up with a partner and select a robber baron to portray and put in trial. You may select: Andrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick, Charles Schwab, James Fisk, John Jacob Astor, Jay Gould, Charles Crocker, Franklin Gowen, George Pullman, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Leland Stanford, Mark Hopkins, Henry Bradley Plant, J.P. Morgan, Daniel Dew, John D. Rockefeller or any other. Decide who will play the robber baron and who will play the prosecuting attorney. Working together, create a script in which you ask and answer a dealings. Make sure your answers to the questions are accurate and descriptive. Use your textbook and other reliable sources to construct your answers to the questions. List your sources at the end of your mock trial script. On the day of the mock trial, dress the part.
[Scene: A courtroom. The prosecuting attorney, played by [Partner's Name], stands at a podium. The robber baron, [Robber Baron's Name], sits at a separate table, surrounded by his legal team. The judge sits at the bench.]
Prosecuting Attorney: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, esteemed Judge, we gather here today to bring to light the actions of one of the most notorious robber barons of the 19th century. Today, we place on trial Mr. [Robber Baron's Name], accused of using his vast wealth and influence to exploit the American people and further his own personal interests.
[Robber Baron's Name] (played by [Your Name], confidently): Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I stand before you today as a self-made man who took every opportunity presented to him to shape America's industrial landscape. I firmly believe in the principles of capitalism and entrepreneurship.
Prosecuting Attorney: Mr. [Robber Baron's Name], it is true that you amassed a great fortune during the Gilded Age. However, it is also true that you built your empire on the backs of the less fortunate. Can you, in good conscience, justify your ruthless business practices that led to the impoverishment of workers and unfair competition?
[Robber Baron's Name]: Your Honor, I admit that my success was not without controversy. However, it is important to note that the industrial revolution and the growth of big business were transformative times. I was merely one of many who understood the opportunities presented and seized them. It was a time of fierce competition, and I played by the rules of the game.
Prosecuting Attorney: Mr. [Robber Baron's Name], your "rules of the game" involved utilizing unethical business practices, such as establishing monopolies and trusts. How can you justify these actions to the court?
[Robber Baron's Name]: Your Honor, I understand that some may view these actions as monopolistic and unethical. However, it is crucial to recognize that my business practices, including the formation of trusts, were necessary to achieve economies of scale and drive progress. They led to greater efficiency and ultimately benefited consumers by providing them with more affordable goods and services.
Prosecuting Attorney: But what about the workers, Mr. [Robber Baron's Name]? Many of them toiled in dangerous conditions, working long hours for meager wages, all while you and your fellow robber barons enjoyed opulent lifestyles. How can you claim to have the best interests of the American people at heart?
[Robber Baron's Name]: Your Honor, it is unfortunate that some workers faced hardships during this era. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the contributions and advancements that were made possible through industrialization. My efforts and investments created jobs, stimulated the economy, and pushed America toward progress and prosperity.
Judge: Order in the court!
[The judge brings the courtroom to order. The trial continues with further arguments and counterarguments presenting evidence and witness testimonies.]
While this script serves as a starting point for your mock trial, please remember to add more details, facts, and legal arguments based on the robber baron and the time period in question.
Sources:
1. Chernow, Ron. "Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller Sr."
2. Brands, H. W. "Masters of Enterprise: Giants of American Business from John Jacob Astor and J. P. Morgan to Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey"
3. Morris, Charles R. "The Tycoons: How Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Jay Gould, and J. P. Morgan Invented the American Supereconomy"