Jay Gould and James Fisk

Definition

Jay Gould and James Fisk were notorious American financiers in the late 19th century. They are best known for their attempt to corner the gold market during the "Black Friday" scandal of 1869.

Analogy

Think of Jay Gould and James Fisk as two players in a high-stakes poker game, trying to bluff their way into controlling all the chips (in this case, gold). However, their plan backfired when other players (the government) stepped in.

Related terms

Robber Barons: Wealthy and powerful businessmen who used unethical methods to get rich.

Gilded Age: A period in U.S history from the 1870s to about 1900 marked by rapid economic growth but also significant social problems like inequality.

Black Friday Scandal: An attempt by financiers Jay Gould and James Fisk to corner the U.S gold market that led to financial panic.