Part 6/9:
In 1871, Rockefeller initiated a plan known as the Southern Improvement Company, wherein he orchestrated secret agreements with railroad companies to disadvantage his rivals further. While this scheme almost solidified his stranglehold on the industry, public outcry and investigative journalism uncovered the plot, leading to widespread backlash against Rockefeller.
Despite the temporary setback, the chaos further solidified Standard Oil’s position; Rockefeller’s rivals were weakened, and he emerged stronger. By the late 1870s, Standard Oil controlled over 90% of America’s oil refining capacity, placing Rockefeller at the forefront of the industrial landscape.