John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie were sometimes called "robber barons" because of their ruthless business tactics, exploitation of workers, and monopolistic practices that allowed them to amass enormous wealth at the expense of others. They were accused of engaging in predatory pricing, suppressing competition, and mistreating their employees in order to gain greater control over their respective industries. Critics argue that their actions contributed to income inequality and worker exploitation during the Gilded Age in the late 19th century.
