The Golden Age : The Period Of Prosperity, Growth And Development

The Gilded Age was one of the most vibrant and unpredictable eras in the history of America. It brought about a new wave of industrial and economic opportunities that allowed some to build massive businesses and fortunes, while other lower and middle class citizens struggled to survive. Some would go as far to say it created a war between the classes across American societies. Giants of industry, such as Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller, revolutionized how big business led to the rise of corporate America, but also how it leveled competition in the free-market. The Gilded Age offered America rapid economic growth and new technological products that created an economical boom. Yet, these advancements were created at the costs of exploiting industrial workers and farmers working long hours in dangerous conditions for low pay and the American people sought political and social reforms in an effort to rebalance the scale of power in the United States. During the Gilded Age, the American economy had shifted from a nation of small farmers and craftsmen to an economy transformed by railroads and telephone lines that stretched from coast to coast. Confronted by new models of economics and politics, unforeseen struggles caused farmers and laborers to fight for survival while emerging industrialists celebrated new wealth.

The Gilded Age was an era overlapping the Reconstruction Era in the late 19th century, referred to the time in which America’s farming society transitioned to an urban society, in which was taken over by industrialized industries. The documents “Autobiography of a Chinese Immigrant” by Lee Chew, “Gilded Age LYSK” slides, and “Emma Goldman Autobiography” by Emma Goldman all explain the ideology behind the Gilded Age and how it was developed over it’s era. Essentially, during the Gilded Age, America began to “reform”, or make changes economically and transitioned America into an “economic powerhouse.” The saying, “all that glitters is not gold” could fundamentally be used to describe the Gilded Age era, considering it was a time in which things seemed to be going well, however, it in the inside it had been corrupt. Ultimately, for several political, economic, and social reasonings, this era could be viewed to be corrupt in several manners.

During this time, the Conservative government was said to have pursued mainly Keynesian economic policies, which centrally focused on reducing inflation. Their aims were to maintain growth, stability and a Keynesian system. However, some techniques used caused a rise in unemployment and higher interest rates. Therefore in terms of whether it was a ‘Golden Age’ for the economy; it depends on whose view the opinion is coming from.

During the Gilded Age, robber barons dominated the scene through industrialism and capitalism at the expense of consumers in the U.S. The United States economy rapidly expanded and experienced astounding growth due to the ambition of many greedy men. The government adopted the policy of laissez faire, an attitude of letting things take their own course, to generate industrial wealth. With the U.S economy growing and its instability just as much, direct government intervention encouraged and sustained the economy by passing reform acts. The Gilded Age, yet filled with corruption, was a marvelous time period for the U.S. economy. In this era, an immense wealth was accumulated by a number of individuals, such as J.P Morgan

The Golden Ages of Greece, Rome, and China were periods when certain cultures reached many achievements in certain fields. These fields could include drama, poetry, sculpture, philosophy, architecture, math or science. Their achievements in education, technology, and government have greatly influenced modern society. The artistic and literal legacies of these periods continue to instruct and inspire people today (Beck 120).

The gilded age is the name given to the era of rapid economic development and growth in the United States from the 1870s to the early 1900s. The North and the Western states in particular gained tremendously in these times due to several economic, social and political factors. In economic terms, American wages at the time were much higher than what was being offered to their European counterparts which let the public have greater amounts of disposable income. The economic policies of the government of the time came perfectly in sync with the rapidly developing technological changes arriving in the United States through tools such as rail roads, mechanized farming, scientific management and the emergence of large corporations getting tremendous

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.

The American Society could currently be in what is considered a Golden Age with all of the advancements that are being made daily. America is the number one leader in advancements in the modern day. America has been making useful advancements since around the 40s, but in the past decade, americans have been creating so many different things that help out our society, many other countries have been struggling to keep up. America has made many educational, artistic, economic, political, medical, social, humanitarian, and technological advancements in the past decade.

America has had many historical identities throughout its lifetime. Many periods can be debated and analyzed from the surface but there are topics where one has to dig deep and find those areas of critical assessment where now in hind sight, we can say whether America was right or wrong.

From 1870 to 1900 era was called the Gilded Age, a time of immense growth in the United States in transportation, especially in railroads, American workers were paid higher wages than their peers in Europe. In this thirty year span the United States saw twelve million immigrants pass through her golden doors, 70% of these immigrants were English, Irish, and German. Crop failures (potato famine in Ireland), job shortages, and religious freedom were the motivations behind many immigrating to America. Newly arrived immigrants faced a harsh reality in America, employers took advantage of them, the men were often paid less than other native born men and the women were paid even less. Immigrants suffered verbal and physical abuse from employers and other employees because they were different. While researching my Italian heritage I learned that Italians, especially southern Italians were not treated well because they were hired as strikebreakers or scabs by mining and railroading companies. They were called derogatory names such as "dagoes or guineas". Newspapers of the time said the southern Italians were "intellectually inferior and having criminal tendencies" (Laura Teddy Turner, Demand Media n.d.) http://www.emmigration.info/us-immigration-tv

The gilded age was an age of industrial revolution. With inventions of machines and the major social problems, it was an era of great change for the United States.

Throughout history, America was faced with many problems socially, economically, politically, and technologically. But America has also experienced many great successes in these areas as well. Some opportunities were seized, while others were wasted. We can learn from our past failures and successes and take what we have learned from them forward with us into the future, to help build and maintain a better America. The Gilded Age, during the late 1800’s, was a time in America where we experienced explosive economic growth, serious social problems, new innovative technology, and the rise of corporations and corruption in politics. We have learned from some of these things that we went through in the Gilded Age and fixed them, but we are still facing some of the problems we faced back then, today.

The Gilded Age was a time where new prosperities and opportunities were forming after the end of the bloody American Civil War. The United States was able to rebuild itself after philanthropists started to help change the country into something superior and steered it away from the dreariness of the last few years. The ultra wealthy entrepreneurs of the time primarily were John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and J. Pierpont Morgan. These men were given the name “captain of industries” coined by Thomas Carlyle in his book, Past and Present, to describe compassionate and important men who made significant impacts on the nation and people of America. The wealthy industrialists of the late 19th century were “captain of industries” because they created new enterprises, they provided jobs for countless citizens, and donated to charitable causes.

In science, we have been taught that for every action there is a reaction. However, this can also be applied to history. For example, after the French and Indian War, Britain had enforced the navigation laws and taxes in order to pay for the war debt. This had caused a huge reaction from the colonies from as simple as boycotting British goods all the way to declaring their independence in 1776. Individuals can also help bring forth these dramatic changes such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. who help fought for civil rights. Thus, throughout the United States history, the nation has gone through a variety of changes. Although presidents have played a significant role in the nation’s changes, many individuals have also brought changes to the nation's economy, government, and society. In addition to heroes like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr, another individual includes Upton Sinclair and his contribution to consumer protection.

The age of globalization began in the 17th century when different parts of the world came in contact with one another by establishing trade relations. While globalization connected different parts of the world, it also gave rise to capitalism. The events leading up to globalization and in turn, capitalism, are interpreted differently by historians such as Timothy Brook, in his book Vermeer’s Hat and by Greg Grandin, in his book Empire of Necessity. This essay focuses on the interpretations of globalization and capitalism by these authors and discusses the impacts of capitalism between the 17th and 19th century. Brook argues that rise of global capitalism initiated through the movement and transculturation of products, people and ideas