Standard Oil Case Study

468 Words2 Pages
Standard Oil Case 1. John D. Rockefeller and his Standard Oil Trust sought to fully exercise economic power. By buying out smaller companies and consolidating the oil industry, he effectively stopped destructive competition and made formidable profits. It is doubtful that the oil industry would be as powerful, centralized and a multi-billion dollar industry today if it wasn’t for Rockefeller’s domination. John D. Rockefeller used his political and legal power, brought on by his great wealth, to increase his monopoly, buying out small companies to decrease competition, and forcing railroads to favor his corporation. As a consequence of these actions, the government sought to rein in his power by enacting the Sherman Antitrust Act, forever changing the laws by which corporations comply. Standard Oil not only encouraged more railroads being built near production factories, but the entire oil industry has had significant impact on our environment. According to the text “Standard Oil Trust and its successor companies have contributed between 4.7 and 5.2 percent of worldwide carbon dioxide emissions.” By the widespread use of high-quality kerosene brought on by Rockefeller, population’s entire lifestyles forever changed, too. People were free to enjoy activities after sundown, work into the night, and be increasingly productive. If it wasn’t for the rise of the oil and petroleum industry, automobiles, would have had a much harder time catching on. 2. Rockefeller worked within the legal system, avoiding breaking laws and generally being decent to society in return. He was strong-willed in his quest for control and domination, but he tried to remain civil and fair in his dealings. His benevolence was described in the text as “he preferred to buy out rivals on decent terms, and to employ the ablest competitors as helpers.” His actions were unprecedented in his times,
Open Document