3. Standard Oil violated the Sherman Antitrust Act by directly attempt to restrain trade by using the drawbacks within their agreements with the railroad companies. In addition, they also break laws with their price wars and competitor buyouts. Through these means they were attempting to monopolize the oil trade and commerce in the United States. In my opinion, just because Standard Oil was violating the law does not mean that Rockefeller was act unethically. Weather Standard oil was a monopoly or not, the more important question is, were the practices of the Standard Oil efficient and did it hurt the social wealth of the country? Rockefeller took advantage of his economies of scale in order to deliver the products cheaper to the consumer. The consumer benefits from the price wars that Rockefeller engaged in. They received extremely low prices during the war and afterwards despite a small raise in the price, Rockefeller would not raise the price too high as to not attract new competition. This reduction in prices contributed the greater social wealth of the country. Rockefeller’s purchase of the refineries also produced positive results. Those former refiners who were entrepreneurs had this buyout money and could move on to other ventures. This would free up their capital and to help move out the production possibilities of the nation. This obviously would increase social wealth and lifestyle of the country. I do not think contradiction exists between Rockefeller’s personal and business ethics. He gave away about 550 million US dollars during his lifetime. Most of this money was given to foundations and organizations. Many people have criticized the business methods that he used in developing his vast industrial empire, but his contributions to the welfare of humanity form and equally important part of his