The Gilded Age, a term coined by Mark Twain, refers to the period from 1870 to 1900 in the United States, characterized by rapid economic growth, industrialization, and a rise in political corruption. It highlights the era's significant wealth disparities, exploitative labor practices, and the eventual push towards Progressive reforms aimed at creating a more equitable society.
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Industrialization led to immense wealth for some individuals
Widening Gap Between Rich and Poor
The rapid industrialization and urbanization created a significant wealth gap between the rich and the poor
The Gilded Age saw the emergence of a burgeoning middle class
Political corruption during the Gilded Age took many forms, including bribery, electoral fraud, and patronage
Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall in New York City exerted control over local politics through a system of rewards and favors
The Gilded Age was marked by numerous scandals involving government officials, such as the Crédit Mobilier scandal and the Whiskey Ring
The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 aimed to reduce corruption by establishing federal employment based on merit rather than political affiliation
The excesses and inequalities of the Gilded Age sparked movements like Populism, which advocated for the rights and power of the common people
The Progressive Era, initiated by Theodore Roosevelt's presidency, sought to address the social and political issues of the Gilded Age through regulatory reforms and anti-trust legislation
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Economic Expansion (1870-1900)
Period of significant growth, rise of industrial magnates, emergence of a middle class.
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Labor Practices and Wealth Disparity
Era saw exploitative labor, vast wealth for few, and a growing rich-poor gap.
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Political Corruption in the Gilded Age
Government officials often controlled by business tycoons, resulting in minimal regulation.
