Ep 4. Blood Is Spilled

In the fourth episode of The Men Who Built America season 1 titled "Blood Is Spilled," viewers are taken back to the late 1800s where the growing industrialization of America is causing major shifts in power and wealth. The episode focuses on the rivalry between two big names in the steel industry, Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick.

Andrew Carnegie, who grew up poor in Scotland, made a name for himself in the steel industry through his innovative practices and aggressive expansion. He was able to amass a fortune that made him one of the richest men in the world. However, his success did not come easily. In the episode, viewers will see Carnegie's struggle to gain control of his company, as he is constantly challenged by his partner and mentor, Henry Bessemer.

Bessember, who invented a revolutionary steel-making process that Carnegie capitalized on, wanted to take control of the company himself. Carnegie and Bessember's relationship reaches a boiling point when Bessember threatens to sell his shares in the company to a competitor, which would ultimately leave Carnegie in a vulnerable position.

Meanwhile, Henry Clay Frick, another steel magnate, is expanding his operations and challenging Carnegie for dominance in the industry. Frick is portrayed as ruthless and willing to do whatever it takes to take down his competition. His aggressive tactics include undercutting Carnegie's prices and engaging in a hostile takeover of one of Carnegie's factories.

As the competition between Carnegie and Frick intensifies, tensions rise and ultimately lead to a violent confrontation between the two. The episode explores the aftermath of this confrontation and the consequences it has on both men's careers.

Overall, "Blood Is Spilled" offers a fascinating look at the cutthroat world of the American steel industry in the late 1800s. It highlights the key players in the industry and the lengths they were willing to go to in order to emerge victorious. Viewers are left on the edge of their seats as they witness the dramatic clashes and power plays that ultimately shaped the America we know today.