Born in Scotland in 1835, Andrew Carnegie's journey from poverty to power began when his family migrated to America in search of a better life.
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Arriving in Pittsburgh in 1848, young Andrew worked in a cotton mill to support his struggling family, earning just $1.20 a week.
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A job as a telegraph messenger led Carnegie to Thomas Scott, a railroad executive, who became his mentor and changed his life forever.
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Learning about iron and railroad expansion, Carnegie started making strategic investments that set the foundation for his steel empire.
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Recognizing the potential of steel, Carnegie invested in the Bessemer process and built one of America’s most advanced steel mills.
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Carnegie revolutionized bridge-building by replacing iron with steel, constructing the famous Eads Bridge across the Mississippi River.
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Carnegie Steel dominated the industry, using efficiency, cost-cutting, and technology to outcompete rivals.
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To maximize profits, Carnegie imposed long working hours and low wages, leading to dangerous conditions for steelworkers.
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As Carnegie built his empire, he faced fierce competition from oil magnate John D. Rockefeller, leading to intense business battles.
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Carnegie partnered with Henry Frick, a ruthless businessman, leading to labor disputes and violent worker strikes.
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Carnegie sold his steel empire to J.P. Morgan for $480 million, creating U.S. Steel, the world's first billion-dollar company.
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Carnegie spent his later years giving away his fortune, funding libraries, universities, and charities worldwide.
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Image source: Theodore C. Marceau, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons