The Gilded Age was a time of economic struggles for the United States and also a difficult time for each and every person living in this era. The term Gilded Age was coined by famous author Mark Twain, with the view of the country booming and the men portrayed like John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie and cruel and ruthless businessmen that they were that who would stop at nothing to achieve great wealth. An analysis of the gilded age reveals that the Robber Barons took advantage of the growing economy to rapidly increase their wealth without any consideration to their workers and the long hours and low wages they worked. These "robber barons" were accused of taken advantage of workers and forcing horrible working conditions and unfair labor practices upon the worker.

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             During the gilded age the development of extensive businesses concentrated great authority in the hands of booming financiers. "Their ability to hire and fire employees, to make or break the fortunes of many, and to shape the economic fate of the nation raised the question of how the principles of democracy should apply to corporations " . .

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             John D. Rockefeller was the most hated man in America during the gilded age . Why was he the most hated man? He was the first billionaire in the United States and one of the smartest and cruelest men when it comes down to making a fortune for himself. "John D. Rockefeller assimilated the Standard Oil Company in 1870 with one million dollars and within a few years the company fulfilled a near monopoly in the oil business in the United States . He ruthlessly combined oil refineries and oil carrying railroad to create a giant trust known as Standard Oil which controlled nearly all the oil in America. From immigrants to middle class U.S. citizens almost everyone was financially and economically affected by this man. This man utilized the cheapest methods of manufacturing he could possibly get, which often means poor immigrants that were hungry for decent pay.