APUSH Reading

1. What is the main problem Carnegie addresses in the essay?

The proper administration of wealth to maintain harmony between rich and poor.

2. How does Carnegie describe the living conditions of the Sioux chief compared to his braves?

There was little difference between them in dwelling, dress, or food.

3. What does Carnegie say about the contrast between a millionaire's palace and a laborer's cottage?

It measures the change brought by civilization.

4. Why does Carnegie welcome the inequality brought by civilization?

He believes it is beneficial for progress and better than universal squalor.

5. What does Carnegie say about the "good old times"?

They were not better; both master and servant are better off today.

6. What was the relationship between master and apprentice in earlier times?

They worked side by side and lived under similar conditions.

7. What was a key result of the older, domestic system of manufacturing?

It produced crude articles at high prices.

8. What benefit does Carnegie say competition brings?

It leads to wonderful material development and improved conditions.

9. What does Carnegie say about the "law of competition" and the individual?

It may be hard on the individual but is best for the race.

10. What does Carnegie believe about great inequalities of wealth?

They are not only beneficial but essential for progress.

11. What rare talent does Carnegie say is possessed by successful businessmen?

The talent for organization and management.

12. What happens to a business that does not earn at least interest on its capital?

It soon becomes bankrupt.

13. According to Carnegie, what did civilization begin with?

The capable worker telling the lazy one, "If thou dost not sow, thou shalt not reap."

14. What does Carnegie say civilization depends on?

The sacredness of private property.

15. What does Carnegie call those who seek to overturn present conditions?

Socialists or Anarchists attacking civilization's foundation.

16. What are the three modes of disposing of surplus wealth?

Leaving it to family, bequeathing for public use, or administering it during life.

17. Which mode of disposing wealth does Carnegie call the most injudicious?

Leaving it to the families of the decedents.

18. What does Carnegie say about leaving large fortunes to children?

It is often misguided and harmful to both children and the state.

19. What does Carnegie say about millionaires' sons who are unspoiled by wealth?

They are "the very salt of the earth" but rare.

20. What is Carnegie's view on leaving wealth at death for public uses?

It is better than leaving to family, but still inferior to administering it during life.

21. Why does Carnegie criticize posthumous bequests?

They often fail to achieve the testator's real wishes and lack grace.

22. What does Carnegie say about taxing large estates at death?

It is a wise and cheering indication of sound public opinion.

23. How does Carnegie suggest death taxes should be structured?

Graduated, starting at nothing for moderate sums and increasing with wealth.

24. What does Carnegie say is the only true antidote to unequal wealth distribution?

The rich administering their wealth during their lifetimes for the common good.

25. What example does Carnegie give of beneficial use of wealth?

The Cooper Institute in New York.

26. Why does Carnegie think distributing wealth in small sums to the people is wasteful?

Much would be spent on indulgences rather than lasting public benefit.

27. What does Carnegie say about Mr. Tilden's library bequest?

It would have been better if Tilden administered it himself while alive.

28. What is the "highest life" according to Carnegie?

Not imitating Christ's life directly, but working for others in a manner suited to modern conditions.

29. What is the first duty of the man of wealth?

To live modestly and avoid display or extravagance.

30. How should a rich man view his surplus revenues?

As trust funds to be administered for the community's benefit.

31. What does Carnegie compare the rule of taste in wealth to?

Good taste in dress—whatever makes one conspicuous offends.

32. What is one of the serious obstacles to racial improvement?

Indiscriminate charity.

33. What does Carnegie say about most charity spending in his day?

95% of it is spent unwisely.

34. What does Carnegie say about helping those who help themselves?

Charity should assist, but rarely or never do everything for them.

35. How does Carnegie view almsgiving's effect on the race?

It does not improve the individual or the race.

36. Who does Carnegie say is the only true reformer?

One who is as careful not to aid the unworthy as to aid the worthy.

37. What examples does Carnegie give of wise philanthropists?

Peter Cooper, Enoch Pratt, Senator Stanford.

38. What should wealthy men fund to benefit the community?

Parks, recreation, art, public institutions—ladders for the aspiring.

39. How will the millionaire function under Carnegie's ideal system?

As a trustee for the poor, administering wealth for the community.

40. What does Carnegie predict about men who die with millions unadministered?

They will die "unwept, unhonored, and unsung."

41. What will the public verdict be on the rich who die without giving in life?

"The man who dies thus rich dies disgraced."

42. What does Carnegie call his essay's message?

The true Gospel concerning Wealth.

43. What will obedience to this "Gospel" bring?

Peace on earth and good will among men.

44. What does Carnegie mean by "competence" vs "wealth"?

Competence is enough for family comfort; wealth is surplus fortune.

45. Why does Carnegie say some must have fine homes and art collections?

So society can have centers of highest culture and refinement.

46. What does Carnegie say about the "rigid castes" formed in industry?

They breed mutual ignorance and distrust.

47. What does Carnegie say about human society under industrial competition?

It loses homogeneity.

48. What does Carnegie say about the "free play of economic forces"?

It ensures those with talent for affairs will accumulate more than they can spend.

49. What does Carnegie say about changing human nature?

It would take eons and is not practicable in our age.

50. What does Carnegie say about the ideal state under his proposed system?

The surplus wealth of the few will become the property of the many in the best sense.