THE MEN WHO BUILT AMERICA: Episode One--Cornelius Vanderbilt

Episode One: Cornelius Vanderbilt

Strong, self-reliant, ambitious, even as a young man

Prior and during war, Vanderbilt owns ships. Makes a fortune as a ship owner.

Vanderbilt knows the world is changing. He sells all his ships and invests in the future of America—railroad.

By the end of the Civil War, Vanderbilt is the richest man in the country.

Money can’t buy happiness, however. His favorite son, George, is among the 600,000 who perished in the Civil War.

As his fortune continues to grow, he continues to buy out the competition.

Vanderbilt even puts a blockade on other rail lines forcing his competitors to use his rails.

Awesome accomplishment? Built Grand Central Station in New York City, one of the best known stations in the world.

Others see Vanderbilt as a tyrant and a bully. They wish to see him suffer and con him into buying $7 million of watered-down stock.

Vanderbilt is furious, but he vows to never lose again.

KEY QUESTIONS TO SEGUE INTO EPISODE TWO: 1. How are Vanderbilt and Rockefeller connected? 2. What deal do they make? 3. Rockefeller misses his train to NYC and avoids death. How does this change him into the legendary figure we know today?