What was the area of Standard Oil monopoly in the USA?

Discussions on the economic history of the nations taking part in WW2, from the recovery after the depression until the economy at war.
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Red-Right
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Location: Poland

What was the area of Standard Oil monopoly in the USA?

#1

Post by Red-Right » 26 Feb 2023, 09:57

From what I remember, at the height of its power, Standard Oil had a 91% monopoly across the US. This should mean that a huge area of the country was completely monopolized.

On what percentage of the US land area did this famous company have a complete monopoly?

A map is welcome.

Carl Schwamberger
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Re: What was the area of Standard Oil monopoly in the USA?

#2

Post by Carl Schwamberger » 27 Feb 2023, 00:38

The monopoly occurred in the 1880s & 1890s & refers to control of refining, or to oil refined depending on which source you look at. "Control" does not necessarily refer to ownership. That is independently owned refineries may have been controlled via contracts or other legal mechanisms. That indirectly affected extraction and distribution. This did not reflect control or ownership of refineries outside the US.

Note that in 1882 The Standard Oil co. was absorbed by the Standard Oil Trust. This is a important point in the understanding of contriol. Otherwise independent business entities can be under the control of a trust. So, it may not be the Standard Oil sign & logo was on the gate of every refinery controlled.

In any case when the Ohio courts prosecuted Standard Oil Trust for violation of Ohio business laws they were judging the trust & presumably the trustees.


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