Robber Barons: Cornelius Vanderbilt

A Supreme Court decision in 1824 changed Cornelius Vanderbilt’s fate, opening the door for the enterprising steamboat captain to build a navigation empire — and from there, a railroad takeover. He outmaneuvered his rivals until he had the power to manipulate the entire U.S. economy. This episode originally aired on Dictators, a Spotify Original from Parcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices