This is a pejorative term used to describe American businessmen of the late 19th century who used unethical business practices to get rich. It has been used over the years to justify more laws to limit the domination of the market by large corporations. Industrialists like John D. Rockefeller and Cornelius Vanderbilt are the most common targets of criticism against the robber barons. Others, however, have argued that most American industrialists during the period engaged in free competition that helped consumers enjoy better products at lower prices. They further argue that it was only businesses with political influence who misused their power.