Digital History
Digital History: Standard Oil on Trial [Pdf]
The anti-trust case against Standard Oil, based on the Sherman Antitrust Act, pitted the federal government against the largest corporation in the United States. Read the trial preparation information including the arguments of the...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Extreme Oil: The History
Part of an interactive timeline which focuses on the history of exploration, development, and use of oil and petroleum products in the United States from 1855-1919 with links at the bottom that continue through 2004.
Other
Pocantico Hills: John D. Rockefeller
A grade school in Pocantico Hills, New York, profiles the founder of Standard Oil, John D. Rockefeller.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Biography for Kids: John D. Rockefeller
Kids learn about the biography of entrepreneur John D. Rockefeller including his early life, building standard oil, business monopoly, fun facts, and charitable giving on this website.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: The Cleveland Massacre
The details surrounding the so-called "Cleveland Massacre," in which John D. Rockefeller bought up competitors' oil refineries, are set out here.
Digital History
Digital History: Empire 'S Challenge to Standard [Pdf]
In the era of big business and business tycoons in the late 19th century, John D. Rockefeller held a very high position. Read about how he thwarted an attempt by two railroad owners to keep Rockefeller from controlling all the oil...
Digital History
Digital History: Robber Baron or Industrial Statesman [Pdf]
John D. Rockefeller was a controversial figure in the business world of the 19th century. Read about his actions to consolidate his control of the oil refining business in all its aspects. Find arguments claiming that he was an...
Digital History
Digital History: The Supreme Court Decides [Pdf]
An explanation of the Supreme Court decision in 1911 that broke up the monopoly of Standard Oil, charged with unreasonable restraint of trade. Read commentary that claimed that the decision did not really increase competition in the oil...
Curated OER
John D. Rockefeller
Excerpt from Ida Tarbell's magazine expose of Standard Oil's manipulation of the American oil industry contrasted with excerpts from John D. Rockefeller's autobiography in which he defends the practices of his company.
Curated OER
Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in New York: John D. Rockefeller Estate
Estate of the oil tycoons, the Rockefeller family; also known as Kykuit.
Vassar College
Vassar College: 1896: Trusts and Monopolies
As part of a large site dealing with the election of 1896 is this article on Trusts and Monopolies. Although the focus is on the Republicans' anti-trust sentiments in the election, you can read about the rise of big business, monopolies,...
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Captains of Industry: Second Industrial Revolution
This tutorial looks at the Second Industrial Revolution in the United States and the most famous and successful industrial entrepreneurs of that time. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
Other
1972 Rockefeller Commission Report on U. S. Population
This is a report written in 1972 about the U.S. population that expresses the goals for each group of the U.S. population.
Digital History
Digital History: The Theory of Laissez Faire [Pdf]
The economic philosophy of laissez-faire was espoused by Adam Smith in his book, Wealth of Nations. Read about the concepts of this philosophy, how it pertained to American business in the late 19h century, and what the drawbacks to...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Muckrakers
Sometimes a pen can be wielded more lethally than a sword. Read about the brave muckrakers who exposed corruption and injustice in government and business. These journalists attacked different areas, but the result was an introduction to...
Country Studies US
Country Studies: Corporations and Cities
Brief historical description of the growth of corporations and trusts at the end of the 1800s and how that trend led to the growth of urban areas to house this corporate movement.
Other
Allegheny College: Ida Tarbell
Social reform resutled from the work of journalists known as muckrackers; Ida Tarbell was one such journalist. This website includes a biography as well as an archive of selected articles and letters by Tarbell.
Curated OER
Ida M. Tarbell
Excerpt from Ida Tarbell's magazine expose of Standard Oil's manipulation of the American oil industry contrasted with excerpts from John D. Rockefeller's autobiography in which he defends the practices of his company.