Why were entrepreneurs of the 1800 robber barons

Because labor laws hadn't been established and the government didn't regulate the economy, the entrepreneurs could make tons of money by forcing workers to work long hours in poor conditions for low pay. They were "barons" because they were rich, but in a sense, they were robbing their workers of pay they deserved. Robber barons who abused their workers the most also tended to make the most profit and outcompete other companies, so there quickly came economic incentive for the abuse of workers rights; even the nicest of employers were forced to cut wages to keep their businesses alive.

Robber Barons Definition: These men earned the title of 'Robber Barons' due to their greed and ruthlessness, their unethical business practices, unscrupulous tactics and their total lack of concern for their workers, their customers or their competitors ... The power of the Robber Barons grew.