Who were the main figures behind the establishment of monopolies during the late 1800s?

The emergence of monopolies during the late 1800s was primarily driven by industrial barons such as John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie. These figures were key players in consolidating industries, specifically in oil and steel, respectively. Their business practices often involved aggressive acquisition of competitors, forming trusts, and eliminating competition, which ultimately led to the creation of monopolistic enterprises that dominated the market.

Rockefeller utilized strategies such as vertical integration, where he controlled all aspects of oil production from extraction to distribution, while Carnegie employed horizontal integration to consolidate steel production. Their ability to amass capital and resources allowed them to set prices and dictate terms in ways that stifled competition, fundamentally altering the landscape of American industry.

In contrast, labor leaders focused mainly on worker rights and collective bargaining, while politicians and reformers often sought to regulate these monopolies due to their negative impacts on society. Farmers and rural workers did not play a significant role in the establishment of industrial monopolies during this period, as their concerns were largely different, focusing more on agricultural issues and economic challenges connected to the agrarian economy. Thus, the industrial barons were central to the establishment and perpetuation of monopolies in late 19th-century America.