...The Gilded Age The purpose of this essay is to show how the Industrial Revolution of the Gilded Age contributed to increased problems in gender, race and class in the latter half of 19th century America. Mark Twain coined the term "The Gilded Age" between the years 1870 and 1900 America in reference to the gold gilding that became popular in the era, but also masked very serious social conflicts that arose across the country (Twain, 1996). Ultimately, with economic growth came wider income gaps and brutal social issues with gender, race and class that divided the country. Throughout the Gilded Age, swift financial growth simultaneously increased the size of the labor force, which in turn increased wages (Roediger, 1991). Given that these wages were higher than in Europe, people immigrated to America en masse, which then increased the overall poverty rates (Roediger, 1991). The Gilded Age also transferred industry from independent craftsman toward railroads, factory manufacturing and mining, which created less skilled and more regimented labor forces. This meant that people were forced to work under poor conditions, which stripped workers of their independence, which was the American way prior to the Industrial Revolution (Twain, 1996). These mass-production methods were created as offshoots of the steam engine with technical advancements expanding the size of workforces, making them larger and set up to accommodate more production, which created new jobs with a higher...
Words: 1480 - Pages: 6
...Provide historical context/background for each document, connecting the individual accounts to the larger historical themes of the era. Compare the experiences and attitudes of each author. Based on the textbook and the videos, explain how all these documents relate to the social and economic developments that occurred in the United States during the Gilded Age (1865-1900). Ida B Wells described her bad experiences during the Gilded Age. She described how blacks were killed and lynched by the KKK. She states that whites would lynch blacks for any reason and see them as inferior. She was a journalist and a civil rights activist. The two documents relate to the social and economic developments during the gilded age. During the gilded age, there...
Words: 336 - Pages: 2
...Mark Twain’s novel “The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today” would serve as the name for an era of greed and manipulation. What followed after would be called the Progressive era, an era of reform movements to progress human rights. Government power meant a lot in the Gilded era. Instead of being qualified for a job, government positions could be received by friends or through bribes. Favors could be given if votes landed a politician’s way, and this practice leads to a shady government that doesn’t favor the people. This type of corruption is illegal today, but could be seen with Trump and Carson today. Racial segregation was prominent and African Americans were given little rights by the Government. The Jim Crow laws were passed that made it legally...
Words: 366 - Pages: 2
...Denise Pena The Gilded Age, a term coined by Mark Twain, was a period of massive growth for American industry. All though society in America seemed prosperous and wealthy in the surface, the core of society was actually ugly and corrupted. Some of the problems that rose upon the gilded age were social, political, and economic problems. Reforms to help solve these problems began during the progressive era. The United States experienced rapid industrialization following the civil war. The American economy had grown immensely with great financial and industrial titans such as Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Carnegie, and Morgan. With the booming of the industrialization, many people started to move into cities to work in factory jobs, including many...
Words: 479 - Pages: 2
...The Republican Party was focused on the blue-collar workers, the same group that was led by the labor unions. This is an interesting circumstance because labor unions are typically unapproved of by Republicans. With Truman still in the presidency, the GOP had finally won control of congress and passed an important piece of legislation. Congress passed the Taft-Hartley Act in 1947. The act balanced management and labor rights. This subject was a central issue within the heavily industrialized states. Nonetheless, the Taft-Hartley Act benefited the GOP by gaining Republican support from the industrialized states. In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed through the courts disallowing segregation within the United States. This was a large problem within the Democrat dominated south. The segregation barrier was removed within the United States. Today’s presidential candidate Donald Trump has been the recent subject of much scrutiny. People across the United States have connected Trump and the Republicans with racists. Yet, ironically, the Republican Party is the party which pursued and supported equal rights for all citizens within the...
Words: 1230 - Pages: 5
...society. While Washington sought education for blacks in order to get normal job opportunities, he did not necessarily want equality with white men. Dubois, on the other hand, focused on progressing the blacks through the education system so that they would have higher IQs and be viewed equally to the whites. Washington’s ideas would be the most likely to succeed in integrating them into society because they would just flow into a job without demanding that they be treated equally. Either one of the two men’s ideas would succeed in their goal, but Dubois’s plan falls slightly behind the other. 2. What was the most disappointing aspect of the Gilded Age?...
Words: 858 - Pages: 4
...The Civil War and Reconstruction period, Gilded Age, Imperialism, and World War I all brought challenges, expansion, and transformation to this nation and it’s people. These periods would change the nation, “In the years following the Civil War, formed and their white allies, North and South, would seek to redefine the meaning and boundaries of American freedom” (Give Me Liberty 555). The Civil War split apart the nation due to slavery difference between the North and South. The historical narrative from 1865 through World War I involves the challenges faced by inequality and violence resulting in the transformation of geographical space, cultural landscape, and political institutions. The Civil War exacerbated existing racial discrimination...
Words: 591 - Pages: 3
...Assignment 1.2: Research Paper Industrialization after the Civil War Shana Dukes History 105 Professor Tracey M. Biagas February 3. 2014 Introduction Industrialization after the Civil War was a period where Industrial city were being built, there were jobs for people and the political aspect was having corruption. In this paper the main points in this paper discussed the major aspects of the Industrialization Revolution, such as groups that were affected by the Industrial society, and the affects the life of the average working American. While the Industrial Revolution was a great turning point in the history of mankind, it led humanity to great technological advancements, middle and lower class, African American rights, woman equal rights, and many others. Three Aspects of the Industrial Revolution Three major aspects of the Industrial Revolution during 1865 to 1920 influenced society, economy, and politics. Society was a major aspect of Industrialization because companies were being built, railways was distributing goods to different states (Arrington, 2013). Also, a lot of people were moving from the South and farm areas to the Northern urban areas. Iron and steel had become more vital to the Industrialization of America, and the United States was becoming more Industrialized and less agricultural (Gilder Lehrman Institute, 2009). The society worked in factories to earn money; they also worked at steel plants, and other jobs. Society played a major aspect...
Words: 1315 - Pages: 6
...Laws embody human desire for dominance over the weak with no chance of giving any justice to the latter. Plessy v. Fergusson is a case that proved that separate-but-equal doctrine was working in favor of white people, leaving dark-skinned people behind. The legal framework did not solve the problem of segregation, but exacerbated the racial gap in the American society. Homestead Act of 1862 is a legal step that helped the USA grow its agricultural power and provided people with the possibility to make a living. The Act was definitely positive in the way that people were supported by the state paying a small fee for the land they used. Pacific Railroad Act is a very important decision to create an extensive railway system and build a wide network of railroads. Thus, the Act would provide a transcontinental railway connection, giving jobs to many people working on this project. Battle of Little Bighorn (1876) is a prominent battle between the troops of Lt. General George Custer and Sioux Indians, which ended in the absolute victory of the latter...
Words: 1036 - Pages: 5
...OUTLINE & THESIS STATEMENT Impact of Industrialization after the Civil War on American Society (Thesis & Outline) [Strayer University] [U.S History 105] ] Impact of Industrialization After the Civil War on American Society (Thesis & Outline) Part 1- Thesis Statement The Industrial Revolution marks a major turning point in human history; almost every aspect of daily life was influenced in some way. After the Civil War, industrialization took on an unpredictable change of events that had a major affect on improving American life. The Industrial Revolution affected farming, manufacturing, and legislatives and led to a increase in the wealth and prosperity of the countries in which it occurred.. First, new and improved methods of planting and harvesting crops, breeding and rearing animals, and fertilizing the land increased productivity. Second, arrival of steam-powered farm machinery meant to replace farm laborers were needed to work the land. Third, Homestead Act, a significant amount of land had been set aside for cheap to migrated families from the west. Farmer were able to own their own home and farm using on their own time and resources, once their obligations to the government were fulfilled in 5 years the land was theirs with no strings attached. Although the war was over and slavery was abolished, nothing changed much for African American. They still had to work for their masters, and were limited to the rights they had...
Words: 1216 - Pages: 5
...Stamping mills that pulverized with piston like hammer driven by steam engine, Enormous Cornish pumped stucked water from the mine shafts and Ventilators circulated air in the underground chambers. 5.) when The WCTU was created the liquor business was flourishing and number or saloons were skyrocketing so the WCTU started a campaign. the temperance movement to end drunkenness, “armed with bible and singing hymns”. At first they focused on prohibiting liquor, education and moral suasion, then after Frances Willard became the president they started to involve in other political issues by joining Prohibition Party, Knights of labors, and Peoples party. 6) At the end of the nineteenth century the US was going through what historians call The Gilded Age. During this time the US was seen as nice and shiny on the outside, but ugly on the inside. Around this time railroad speculation began to take place, which was the buying and selling of railroad stock for a profit. Another new business strategy was the idea of government subsidies. If the Union Pacific Railroad needed any additional money because they couldn’t find investors, they would just have to ask the government and they’d get the money. Andrew Carnegie put into place the technique of vertical integration, where he would own every process within the steel making industry. This strategy would in turn allow him to receive a bigger profit and limit his competition. 7) The Federal government responded very harshly to increasing immigrant...
Words: 1995 - Pages: 8
...U.S. History U.S. History Unit One Pre-Columbian & Colonial America (Ch. 1-5) * Years- 33,000 B.C.-1763 * Presidents-none * Foreign Policies/Key Events: People migrated from Eurasia across Beringia to Alaska and spread south to the Americas. * Domestic Policies/Key Events 1) Various European settlements were established in the Americas. 2) 16th century, Europeans brougth new staples to the Americas and vice-versa. 3) Spanish exploreres were first Europeans to arrive with Christopher Columbus' second expedition to Puerto Rico on November 19, 1493. 4) First successful English colony was established in 1607, on the James River at Jamestown. 5) The Pilgrims established at Plymouth Colony. 6) Mayflower Compact was established for people to govern themselves. 7) Colonies characterized by religious diversity many congregatinalists in the Middle colonies. 8) First Great Awakening in the 1740s led by Jonathan Edwards. 9) French and Indian War (1754-1763) was a watershed event in the political development of the colonies. 10) Stamp Acts of 1765 was enforced and imposed a tax on the colonies following the Seven Years War. 11) Boston Tea Party in 1773 protest against British taxes and government. * Key Court Cases: Witchcraft trials (1480-1750) executions of innocent people that were accused of being witches or involving with any witchcraft. * Important Documents 1) Mayflower...
Words: 2567 - Pages: 11
...U.S. History U.S. History Unit One Pre-Columbian & Colonial America (Ch. 1-5) * Years- 33,000 B.C.-1763 * Presidents-none * Foreign Policies/Key Events: People migrated from Eurasia across Beringia to Alaska and spread south to the Americas. * Domestic Policies/Key Events 1) Various European settlements were established in the Americas. 2) 16th century, Europeans brougth new staples to the Americas and vice-versa. 3) Spanish exploreres were first Europeans to arrive with Christopher Columbus' second expedition to Puerto Rico on November 19, 1493. 4) First successful English colony was established in 1607, on the James River at Jamestown. 5) The Pilgrims established at Plymouth Colony. 6) Mayflower Compact was established for people to govern themselves. 7) Colonies characterized by religious diversity many congregatinalists in the Middle colonies. 8) First Great Awakening in the 1740s led by Jonathan Edwards. 9) French and Indian War (1754-1763) was a watershed event in the political development of the colonies. 10) Stamp Acts of 1765 was enforced and imposed a tax on the colonies following the Seven Years War. 11) Boston Tea Party in 1773 protest against British taxes and government. * Key Court Cases: Witchcraft trials (1480-1750) executions of innocent people that were accused of being witches or involving with any witchcraft. * Important Documents 1) Mayflower...
Words: 2567 - Pages: 11
...History 477 (The Gilded Age) Associated professor of American studies at Yale University and author of the book called Barbarian virtues: the United States encounters foreign peoples at home and abroad, 1876-1917, Matthew Frye Jacobson, wrote about how Americans in the last part of the 19th century have actually formulated the values of being barbaric against immigrants and foreigners that are both found inside and outside the country. It is from this book that wide and open reflections can be done as to how America have been influenced enough to its formation of the immigration laws in the ways that they applied racial discriminations and superiority against other races. These attitudes of the 19th century America is considered to be the primary factors that led to the formation of the American laws regarding immigration and its country’s history. In fact, this can be the considered turning point of the American society as to how they have actually regarded themselves more powerful than the rest of the other races. This should hold true in the ways that America allowed immigrants to work in the country and thus leading to the economic boom of the country. This, in turn, allowed the creation of the Centennial Exhibition and political stability through immigrant children. Outside interaction of the Americans would apply the same concepts of the American superiority. In the discussion that follows, we consider the particular relations of the Americans to foreigners and how...
Words: 2685 - Pages: 11
...U.S. History U.S. History Unit One Pre-Columbian & Colonial America (Ch. 1-5) * Years- 33,000 B.C.-1763 * Presidents-none * Foreign Policies/Key Events: People migrated from Eurasia across Beringia to Alaska and spread south to the Americas. * Domestic Policies/Key Events 1) Various European settlements were established in the Americas. 2) 16th century, Europeans brougth new staples to the Americas and vice-versa. 3) Spanish exploreres were first Europeans to arrive with Christopher Columbus' second expedition to Puerto Rico on November 19, 1493. 4) First successful English colony was established in 1607, on the James River at Jamestown. 5) The Pilgrims established at Plymouth Colony. 6) Mayflower Compact was established for people to govern themselves. 7) Colonies characterized by religious diversity many congregatinalists in the Middle colonies. 8) First Great Awakening in the 1740s led by Jonathan Edwards. 9) French and Indian War (1754-1763) was a watershed event in the political development of the colonies. 10) Stamp Acts of 1765 was enforced and imposed a tax on the colonies following the Seven Years War. 11) Boston Tea Party in 1773 protest against British taxes and government. * Key Court Cases: Witchcraft trials (1480-1750) executions of innocent people that were accused of being witches or involving with any witchcraft. * Important Documents 1) Mayflower Compact ...
Words: 2557 - Pages: 11
