History

In the end of the 19th century, the American economic climate was changed drastically by the Industrial Revolution. A handful of Americans, such as Andrew Carnegie, took advantage of the new environment and became incredibly wealthy. However, a much larger but far less wealthy working class was also created. Many thought that this class of people were taken advantage of by the wealthy business owners; a view held by people such as Howard Zinn. Carnegie and Zinn had differing opinions on the wealth that was created in their attitudes towards the wealthiest Americans, the working class, and redistribution of wealth.

Andrew Carnegie and Howard Zinn held differing views toward wealthy Americans and how they obtained their wealth. Andrew Carnegie, while resenting those that inherited their wealth, argued that the American system allows anyone to become wealthy and successful if they work hard at it. He himself was a self-made millionaire and believed that everyone had that opportunity. Zinn, on the other hand, believed that that the American capitalistic system was unfair. He believed that poor Americans were taken advantage of by those more fortunate than themselves. Zinn argued that Americans such as Carnegie use those in the working class to obtain their wealth. The views of Zinn and Carnegie differ greatly on the issue of obtaining wealth in the American Capitalistic economic system.

Also, Carnegie and Zinn had differing views on the American working class that was created by the Industrial Revolution. Carnegie believed that such a class was necessary in order for the American philosophy to work. He also believed that children born into the working class could obtain wealth if they were determined and worked hard at it. Contrastingly, Howard Zinn championed the working class. While he agreed that they were instrumental in making the economy work, he believed that they were underpaid and overworked. He also believed that the capitalist system was...