Andrew Carnegie: “Wealth”

( 1889 ) Commentary by David Simonelli, Youngstown State University

1. How has Carnegie's “Gospel of Wealth” had an impact on wealthy people in the United States? Who in modern American society seems to pursue a similar philosophy? What legacy do you think the “Gospel of Wealth” has had in American life?
2. The Homestead strike stained Carnegie's legacy irreparably. Many people assumed after it—despite his statements to the contrary—that his only interest was in making money and keeping it, whatever the cost to his workers. His life and ideas make it seem to be otherwise. Yet there are easily noticed clues in his discussion of his negotiations with his workers that he did not take them as seriously as, say, his business rivals or social equals. What were some of those clues?
3. Carnegie was one of the first wealthy Americans to use his wealth to establish a platform for himself as a commentator on current events. Who has picked up that platform since his time? Why and how?

Andrew Carnegie (Library of Congress)

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