Introducing KNOVA — A free reading app with curriculum-aligned passages on History & Science for Grades 3-8Learn More →

John D Rockefeller: Standard Oil Monopoly — Reading Comprehension

No ratings yet

Premium Resource

Grades

Standards

D2.HIS.2.3-5
D2.HIS.3.3-5
RI.4.3
RI.4.4
W.4.2

Rate this resource

Send Feedback / Report an Issue

About This Reader

This rigorous reading passage explores the rise of John D. Rockefeller and the creation of the Standard Oil monopoly, a defining event in U.S. economic history. Students will analyze how Rockefeller built his oil empire, the motivations behind his business practices, and the resulting impact on American society and government. The passage highlights multiple perspectives, including those of business leaders, workers, and reformers, and integrates a primary source quote for historical reasoning. Students will engage in critical thinking activities aligned with C3 Framework and Common Core standards, including a timeline, vocabulary glossary, comprehension quiz, and graphic organizers. The resource includes read aloud audio and a Spanish translation, supporting diverse learners. Key terms such as monopoly, antitrust, and regulation are explained in context. This comprehensive set is ideal for developing analytical skills and understanding the complexities of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era.

CONTENT PREVIEW

"The Standard's Pipe Line System - DPLA - 3a54d77cff3ff64144101dfe23dcc278" by Bartholomew, Charles Lewis 'Bart', 1869-1949.
Source: Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

John D. Rockefeller was a leading figure in American business during the late 1800s and early 1900s. He founded the Standard Oil Company, which became the largest oil refining business in the United States. By the 1880s, Standard Oil controlled over 90% of American oil refining, making it a powerful monopoly. Rockefeller's business methods, including consolidation of smaller companies and market control, changed how businesses operated in the United States.

Standard Oil's success was not only due to its size but also to its efficiency and organization. Rockefeller used new technologies to make oil refining cheaper and faster. He also made deals with railroads for lower shipping rates, giving Standard Oil an advantage over competitors. This allowed the company to lower prices and drive rivals out of business. As a result, Standard Oil became a trust, a form of business organization where a single group holds control over many companies.

However, Standard Oil's practices raised concerns about competition and fairness. Many Americans worried that monopolies like Standard Oil hurt small businesses and limited choices for consumers. Critics argued that too much market control allowed companies to set high prices once their competitors were gone. Some believed that the government needed to regulate large corporations to protect the public and encourage fair competition.

The government responded with new laws, such as the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. This law aimed to prevent monopolies and promote competition. In 1911, after years of legal battles, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that Standard Oil had violated antitrust laws. The Court ordered the company to break up into smaller, independent companies. This decision changed the future of American business and set important legal precedents for how the government could regulate big corporations.

Rockefeller's legacy is complex. On one hand, he helped create a modern oil industry and made products like kerosene affordable for many people. On the other hand, his methods led to debates about the limits of business power and the need for government rules. The controversy over Standard Oil showed that the rise of big business brought both progress and new challenges for American society.

Interesting Fact: At its peak, Standard Oil was so powerful that it influenced the price of oil around the world, not just in the United States.

Who founded Standard Oil?

John D. RockefellerAndrew CarnegieCornelius VanderbiltJ.P. Morgan

What industry did Standard Oil dominate?

SteelOil refiningRailroadsBanking

What law broke up Standard Oil?

Sherman Antitrust ActHomestead ActCivil Rights ActEmancipation Proclamation

How did Rockefeller lower costs?

Used new technologyRaised pricesHired more workersImported oil

Why were monopolies a problem?

Limited competitionLowered pricesHelped small businessesCreated more jobs

What was an effect of the Supreme Court decision in 1911?