Gilded Age Analysis

The Gilded Age had many relevant people arguing about economy at that time. Three of the people that argued about economic issues in society are Sumner, Lloyd, and Carnegie. Sumner had a biased approached towards economy in favor of the powerful wealthy class. While Lloyd had a completely contradictory view from Sumner’s opposing most of Sumner’s ideas. On the other hand, Carnegie had a favorable argument for economic equality by offering help to the poor class in his way. Although these authors have opposing views on the economic inequality, they support their views with valid solutions and proposals.

American’s freedom was transformed in many ways by the economic development of the Gilded Age. The Gilded Age was also known as the second industrial revolution because of the rapid growth in the economy between the end of the civil war and the bringing of the 20th century. This growth in the economy came from “abundant natural resources, a growing supply of labor, an expanding market for manufactured goods, and the availability to capital for investment” (589). From this growth in all the resources the factories and rail roads also expanded so this brought in even more money into the country. The rail roads are a big reason why the second industrial revolution was even possible because of how many miles they traveled around the united states. Foner stated “by 1913 the united states brought in one-third of the worlds industrial output-more than the total of Great Britain, France, and Germany combined” (590). There was so much growth that even the Americans of the late 19th century was amazed by the new economy.

Andrew Carnegie’s “The Gospel of Wealth” and Samuel Gompers’ letter to Judge Peter Grosscup offer different opinions concerning the course that people of different economic standings should take in regards to power and social stature. However, both works mean to steer society in what seems to be opposite directions. Carnegie focuses more on how the wealthy in the society should take the seemingly philanthropic approach whereas Gompers’ offers a more organizational and structured point of view.

The term the “Gilded Age” was coined by Mark Twain. “By this, he meant that the period was glittering on the surface but corrupt underneath.” With its period of extreme economic growth, there was tremendous wealth, but only for the wealthy. The “Second Gilded Age,” which some say was brought on as the Information Age, brings a level of inequality to America that has never been seen before. Experts believe that this shift could kill the American dream. The Gilded Age and the Age of Information are similar in terms of the vast economic inequality prevalent, the issues arising with immigration (both reform and influx), and the disparity between the political parties.

The Gilded Age was a time in American history, from the 1870s to the 1890s, which ostensibly characterized the country based on its economic and technological advancements. However this era’s development served as a mere facade for the corruption and classism which occurred during the time. From economic manipulation to immorality in politics, the Gilded Age is best characterized by the unscrupulous nature of individuals who sought to attain superficial success.

A successful economy is perhaps the most key ingredient leading to a successful nation. An economy is a delicate balance of many different conflicting and coexisting elements. Naturally, an economy’s success can often be measured by the amount of wealth it contains, not to mention the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of its distribution of the wealth. Effective distribution of wealth is no easy feat. Wealthy and poor people will always need to coexist- this is an inescapable truth. The government’s job in many cases becomes that of a referee. Naturally, perfect peace and harmony between two totally different classes would be a utopia, and probably will never be completely achieved. A government must, therefore,

When you are young and even well into your adult years people will tell you there will always be somebody who is smarter, faster, happier, or better at something than you are. This is true for all periods of time but in the Gilded Age those who were better gained more and more crushing the people below them with unprecedented greed, corruption, and power. The few exploited the many by way of opportunity. Something our nation was built on, yet the avaricious elite used it for evil methods.

Following the end of the Civil War, the Gilded Age began a period in America’s history from 1870-1898 that transformed the industrial system and economy. While industry had been in the works before the war, the American economy was mainly dominated by agriculture. Advancements in technology and more efficient ways of organizing business expanded industry and drove few individuals to the top of the social pyramid. Presidents, Congress, and the Courts supported the success, but besides the small population of economic elite, there was massive poverty. On the political level, leadership was lacking. Corruption created a wildfire that spread throughout cities, states, and the national government. The government’s ignorance to the problems hidden

And it was during this time that the Senate was filled with them and was even worse because the members were not being elected by popular vote yet. So, this led to a majority of probusiness men swarming the Senate, passing bills that would benefit them without considering the farmers and those of a lower economic status. But, while people like Rockefeller were driving infant companies out of business, people like Carnegie were still aspiring to ad,omoster “the most beneficial results for the community” and become the “trustee for his poorer brethren” (Doc E). Some of these wealthy people believed that the concentration of wealth was due to ideas like Social Darwinism, survival of the fittest, and Gospel of Wealth. They believed those would worked hard would survive and flourish and the rest would need to try

The Gilded Age gave the late nineteenth century a popular name by which to be remembered. The term reflected the combination of outward wealth and dazzle with inner corruption and poverty. Given the period’s absence of powerful and charismatic presidents, its lack of a dominant central events, and its sometimes tawdry history, historians have often defined the period by negatives. The time stressed greed, scandals, and corruption of the Gilded Age.

The Gilded Age, seen as the time of advancement and moving forward, but, was it really for all those who were in the United States. During this time, the United States population and economy grew hand in hand, but what was going on behind the scenes for both these numbers to grow so prosperous. First, let us consider what gilded stands for; it is having a desired appearance, yet concealing something that is not so pleasing in appearance. So, the Gilded Age was a time in which the United States grew prosperous through means that did not reflect such positivity. One example, in specific, is the treatment of Indian Americans by the American government. In the article, The Ghost Dance and the Wounded Knee Massacre by Red Cloud, we are

The late 19th century experienced the birth of a modern society dubbed the Gilded Age by writer Mark Twain. America witnessed the growth of big business, a population explosion of immigrants and the creation of labor movements. However, the Expansion and transformation of America often came at a cost to the American Citizen. It has been said, “The glitter of the gilded age covered a multitude of sins.” Evidence supports the validity of this statement. Although The Gilded Age (1870-1900) produced economic prosperity due to the growth of big business, extreme individual wealth, and increased immigrant population, it was littered with big business greed and corruption, unreasonable

Andrew Carnegie was an industrialist who believed in social darwinism. He stated that, “that this talent for organization and management is rare among men is proved by the fact that it invariably secures for its possessor enormous rewards, no matter where or under what laws or conditions.” This means that those who were wealthier were better than those who had less. However, he believed that when someone became wealthy they became beneficial to society. In an essay he wrote to society called “The Gospel of Wealth” he argued how wealthy men like him had the responsibility in making sure to use their wealth to help aid society. Despite this, people didn’t automatically agree with Carnegie.

system. Although a few like Andrew Carnegie felt they had a responsibility to the poor,

The Gilded Age, was a brief period in American history, from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s, where there was a rapid economic growth as the industry expanded, generating groundbreaking opportunities for individuals. At its triumph peak, society was perceived from the outside that the new era of Americans was prosperous, however, conspicuous consumption and luxury masked corruption and the fact that a majority of people were suffering. Like gilded gold, the outside looks exemplary, but much like the Gilded Age, the inside contrasted dramatically. Besides the wide amount of success in this era, society was unbalanced with hierarchy, with a competition of social class and mental health. No one calling out the corrupt nation besides a few pieces of literature that challenge this time of equality. Authors like Nellie Bly, in “Ten Days in a Madhouse”, challenged Gilded Age norms of Mental Health and social class, calling out society by illustrating the horrors of the “less than”. By explaining the story of other women in the asylum who are the minorities in society, put into institutions for invalid reasons, for the fact that they were at the lower scale of society.