Wealth and Power

Wealth and power have been seducing humankind since its existence. The ability to have prestige and privilege over others is one of the most enduring motives in history. Possessing wealth and power has enabled figures from history to change, rule, control and shape historical events and the world. But how does one attain wealth and power? How does someone become part of the ruling elite? What price do people pay for wealth and power? How have people used wealth and power to the benefit and detriment of humankind? These are the questions Wealth and Power seeks to answer. This unique series explores some of the most powerful and wealthiest figures in world history. From the Mongolian Steppes to the boulevards of Hollywood, Wealth and Power traces the role of prestige and ambition in the human experience.

Wealth and Power would be useful for classes on World history, World Culture, Military History, Economics, Political Science and Ethics. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Innovators

This episode examines some of America's greatest innovators who transformed the world with their management and manipulation of new technologies. Featured are Henry Ford, David Sarnoff, Ted Turner and Bill Gates.

OBJECTIVES: Students will explore how wealth and power shape society. They will analyze the role of wealth and power in world history and in creating their own societies. They will examine what drives human ambition, and how power and wealth can endow its owners with prestige and privilege, as well as cause despair and corruption.

NATIONAL HISTORY STANDARDS: Wealth and Power: Innovators fulfills the following National Standards for History for grades 5-12: Chronological thinking, historical comprehension, historical analysis and interpretation, historical research capabilities, historical issues-analysis and decision-making for eras 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Discussion Questions

  1. The innovators in this program did not always invent the technology that propelled them to wealth and power. How did they capitalize on the inventions of others or advancements in technology?

  2. Henry Ford started the Ford Motor Company. How did Ford transform American life and culture?

  3. What was Ford's vision? How did this vision enable the growth of the Ford Motor Company?

  4. One of Ford's greatest influences on the world was the perfection of the assembly line. Describe how an assembly line works. What are some examples of products produced by an assembly line?

  5. Although the assembly line was an innovation that transformed the industrial world, it posed problems with workers and labor. What were these problems? How did Ford deal with these problems?

  6. Henry Ford was an anti-Semitic. What is anti-Semitism? How did Ford use his power and influence to further this hatred?

  7. What was the Great depression? How did it affect the Ford Motor Company?

  8. Discuss David Sarnoff's contributions to American life and culture.

  9. David Sarnoff was not a native born American. Where was he born? How and why did he come to America?

  10. How did Sarnoff get his start in the communications business?

  11. Discuss the impact of radio and television on the 20th century.

  12. How did World War II affect communications?

  13. Ted Turner is one of the most powerful men in the communications business. How did Turner get his start?

  14. What is Turner's greatest contribution?

  15. Discuss Turner's humanitarian activities.

  16. Bill Gates is the man behind the software and computer revolution of the late 20th century. How did Gates get his start?

  17. Discuss the impact of Microsoft on the world.

  18. What legal problems does Bill Gates face? Why is Microsoft often compared to the Standard Oil Company of the late 19th century?
Extended Activities

  1. Create a poster or chart that illustrates the impact of each of this episode's innovators' product or service.

  2. Design a monument for one of the innovators profiled in this episode that reflects his influence on the world.

  3. Design a brochure for the 1939 World's Fair that featured the debut of television.

  4. Research old radio serials/programs on the Internet. Use your data to recreate a radio broadcast from the past.
Related Videos
Primary Sources
  • There are two fools in this world. One is the millionaire who thinks that by hoarding money he can somehow accumulate real power, and the other is the penniless reformer who thinks that if only he can take the money from one class and give it to another, all the world's ills will be cured.

    Henry Ford

Air Dates

Classroom Materials