How John D. Rockefeller Salvaged His Image

The wealth and influence of 'robber barons' like John D. Rockefeller was resented by ordinary Americans. To counter that, the tycoon embarked on an extraordinary campaign of philanthropy, to redeem his public image.

[radwulfeboraci]

My, my ... how times haven't changed.

[declup]

Charity is giving of oneself. Philanthropy is giving a minute fraction of one's wealth for good publicity.

[jamesdooling]

My grandmother grew up spending summers next door to a Rockefeller girl her own age. They played together each summer from ages 4 to 14. Aside from the opulence, my Gran said "KittyCat" was quite normal and fun. However, she was forced by a governess to change clothes four or five times a day for no reason. Most kids back then had 'play clothes' and supper clothes... And Sunday clothes. One other thing she always talked about was how KittyCat was betrothed when she was 10. Not sure how all of that played out.

Hear me now, children, for my occupation is of much import. For 82 years I have been an oil man, a ‘baron’ some have called me. Now what does an oil baron do? The answer…crush your enemies! Grind their bones into dirt! Make them regret that they were ever born!

[ShoshanaBrand]

Nobody resents their money; we resent their evil acts.

[alpha_gospel]

You don’t think there were strings attached to that money? Think how much he actually shaped the world in his image by “giving away” his money

[razorhighflyer]

Business 101; appeal to the masses, and the people will come to their own conclusions

[lorastevens]

What about the hundreds and thousands of artifacts that you keep hidden in the Smithsonian Warehouse?

[alexj]

Don’t glorify wealthy people who exploit their workers because they give some of their money away. Tax the fuckers and make them pay their employees enough to live

[planescaped]

_looks at comments_

I uh... think he still failed.

[Semper_Iratus]

Did bloomberg slide you some cash to say nice things about obscenely rich people?

[ea]

still running propaganda after a century

[lavidaestragica]

Thanks to film wet could trick the feeble human minds to gain pity on them

[dieterkalt]

they made philanthropy a warning sign.

[schandru]

Good thing is, there are still some things, they can't buy (family, friendship, love, time, youth etc)

[Clipgatherer]

Rockefeller used to carry a coin in his pocket (usually a nickel or a dime), which he liked to hand out to poor kids. He told them that now they had a little to start with.

[rustysdirtworks]

This is the most evil man who lived, he was a killer and murderer, JUST READ HIS MASONIC CREED

[totom]

Why dont u talk about how many people he impoverished by his greed

[subhammukherjee]

He was highly influenced by Swami Vivekananda..Swami Vivekananda tried to motivate Mr. Rockefeller to donate his money for betterment of Mankind..

[Bruintjebeer]

Seams does old times are coming back. Or are already back. With poverty rising and an disappearing middle class