Industrial Titans

In this worksheet, students read two short biographies-one on John D. Rockefeller and one on Andrew Carnegie-and decide whether each figure should be considered a “Robber Baron” or a “Captain of Industry.” Learners must underline their chosen label and write 2-3 thoughtful sentences explaining their reasoning using evidence from the text. This activity supports critical analysis by asking students to evaluate both the positive and negative impacts of major industrial leaders. By examining issues such as harsh working conditions, philanthropy, monopolistic practices, and industrial growth, students strengthen their ability to form evidence-based historical judgments. The worksheet also encourages nuanced thinking about ethical leadership during the Industrialization era.

Curriculum Matched Skills

Social Studies – Industrial Leaders and Economic Influence

English Language Arts – Evidence-Based Short Answer Responses

Social Studies – Historical Interpretation and Ethical Evaluation

English Language Arts – Critical Reading of Biographical Texts

This worksheet is part of our Industrialization and the Gilded Age Worksheets collection.