The document discusses whether late 19th century American industrialists should be remembered as "robber barons" or "captains of industry". It provides context on trusts, monopolies, and laissez-faire economic policies that allowed businesses like Carnegie Steel, Standard Oil, and J.P. Morgan's companies to consolidate power with little government interference. While some viewed the industrialists' tactics critically and called them robber barons, others maintained they acted as captains of industry by increasing productivity and jobs.