20. Rockefeller defeats the Pennsylvania through, among other things, labor issues
Rockefeller opposed the PRR by stopping all shipments of Standard Oil products on the railroad, diverting it to the PRR’s competition. The loss of revenue to the PRR was devastating, declining profits forced it to cut wages, leading to labor strife for the railroad at the same time. Rockefeller turned to the other railroads, all too happy to cripple the PRR, and initiated a price war which further cut into the Pennsylvania’s coffers. The railroad surrendered, selling its oil and pipeline holdings to Standard Oil as the price for peace. Rockefeller prevailed, but the influence of the PRR within the legislature of Pennsylvania led to Rockefeller and Standard Oil facing an indictment for operating a monopoly in 1879, which the millionaire would find to be a long, expensive battle over the ensuing three decades.