John D. Rockefeller: The Man Who Built a Monopoly
John D. Rockefeller (1839–1937) was an American business magnate and philanthropist who became the world’s richest man by monopolizing the oil industry. He co-founded Standard Oil in 1870, which grew into a massive empire by ruthlessly eliminating competition and controlling nearly 90% of the U.S. oil supply at its peak. His dominance was achieved through aggressive business tactics, including predatory pricing, secret railroad rebates, and strategic acquisitions that forced competitors out of business or into mergers with Standard Oil.
How Rockefeller Built a Monopoly
- Horizontal Integration – Rockefeller bought out competing oil refineries, consolidating power under Standard Oil and eliminating competition.
- Vertical Integration – He controlled every step of the oil business, from drilling and refining to transportation and sales, reducing costs and maximizing profits.
- Railroad Rebates – He secured secret deals with railroads to ship his oil at lower prices while forcing competitors to pay higher rates, making their businesses unsustainable.
- Price Wars – Rockefeller would temporarily lower prices to drive competitors out of business, then raise them once he had control.
His monopoly made him the first billionaire in history, but it also led to government intervention. In 1911, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Standard Oil was an illegal monopoly and ordered it to be broken up into smaller companies, many of which later became modern oil giants like ExxonMobil, Chevron, and BP.
Conspiracy Theories About Rockefeller
Due to his immense power and influence, Rockefeller became the subject of many conspiracy theories:
- New World Order – Some believe Rockefeller was a key figure in a secret elite group working to control global finance, governments, and institutions through organizations like the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and the Trilateral Commission.
- Control of the Federal Reserve – A theory suggests that Rockefeller and other wealthy elites influenced the creation of the Federal Reserve in 1913, ensuring control over the U.S. banking system.
- Big Pharma & Medicine – In the early 20th century, Rockefeller funded medical research and helped shift medicine toward pharmaceuticals and away from natural remedies. Some claim this was a move to monopolize healthcare and profit from the pharmaceutical industry.
- Depopulation Agenda – A widely circulated but unproven theory suggests that the Rockefeller Foundation has pushed population control measures through global health programs.
Regardless of these theories, Rockefeller’s legacy is undeniable. He revolutionized the oil industry, shaped corporate America, and later became one of the world’s most generous philanthropists, donating billions to education, medical research, and public health through the Rockefeller Foundation.