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The Gilded Age, a period of significant economic growth in America, gave rise to consumerism as a cultural phenomenon. This era saw the middle class expand, with increased disposable income leading to a surge in spending on non-essential items. Technological innovations, global trade, and new retail experiences like department stores and mail-order catalogs further fueled the consumer culture. Leisure activities became a part of this consumption, with women playing a key role in household purchasing decisions, influencing the market and setting social standards.
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The Gilded Age was marked by a period of rapid economic growth in America
Inventions and advancements
Technological advancements, such as the telephone and electric light, changed everyday life during the Gilded Age
The expansion of global trade during the Gilded Age led to a wider variety of products available to American consumers
The Gilded Age saw the birth of a consumer culture, driven by the availability of goods and the emergence of a middle class with disposable income
Socio-economic group with disposable income
The expansion of the middle class, with more disposable income than the working class, contributed to the growth of consumerism during the Gilded Age
The access to international markets during the Gilded Age led to a diversification of consumer goods, stimulating demand and solidifying the culture of consumption
The middle class engaged in new forms of recreation, such as attending vaudeville theaters and visiting amusement parks, during the Gilded Age
Technological advancements, such as the phonograph, provided new forms of entertainment for the middle class during the Gilded Age
Leisure activities during the Gilded Age not only provided enjoyment but also became opportunities for socializing and displaying one's status through consumption
The Gilded Age saw the development of new retail formats, such as department stores and mail-order catalogs, to cater to the growing consumer culture
Advertising techniques
The emergence of advertising agencies and persuasive techniques in advertisements played a key role in promoting consumerism during the Gilded Age
The concept of buying on credit became more common during the Gilded Age, encouraging greater consumer spending and contributing to economic growth
Women, as managers of domestic consumption, played a crucial role in the consumer culture of the Gilded Age
Women's purchasing decisions reflected their family's status and adherence to social norms, making them significant influencers in the marketplace during the Gilded Age