The Gilded Age: A Period of Economic Growth
The Gilded Age is a period of American history that was marked by the growth of industry and a wave of immigrants. This rapid economic development led to many new fortunes for some people, while others struggled to make ends meet.
The Wealthy and Powerful in America
The wealthy and powerful became the center of America's social life during this period. They were able to purchase large mansions and luxury cars. This wealth also enabled them to indulge in expensive social activities like parties and horseback riding.
Wealth as a Symbol of Power
Americans began to view their wealth as a sign of superiority and the ability to live high off of the land. They began to feel that their wealth was a symbol of power and they felt that the rich should help those less fortunate than them.
Influence on Government Decisions
They believed that if they were successful in business and had a large bank account, they could influence government decisions. This belief led to the rise of the robber barons in America who were able to get rich by making corrupt deals with the government.
Success in Industry
Some of these wealthy people, such as John D. Rockefeller, were able to become extremely wealthy through their success in the oil industry and their construction of the railroads. These men were able to become the richest in the country because they were able to gain wealth through the expansion of industry.
Philanthropic Endeavors
These people were able to become very wealthy through their philanthropic endeavors as well. They donated a lot of money to many different organizations including museums, public libraries, and opera houses.
Government's Support
The government looked favorably on this new trend of prosperity. This was because they thought that it would lead to a better life for all Americans. However, this new way of living was not easy for everyone to understand and it led to many people becoming poor and homeless.
Social Conflicts and Women's Rights
Another issue that was a problem during this time was that there was a sexual double standard in the United States. Young men were expected to become sexually promiscuous as soon as they got older, while young women were expected to remain chaste until they married. This double standard created a lot of tension between the two groups and was one of the main reasons for the many fights over women's rights that occurred during this time.
Social Inequality and Lack of Opportunities
This social conflict was a problem in many parts of the country. This was because there were a lot of people that were not very rich. The people that were not very rich often did not have access to a good education or they had no money for medical care.
The Need for Government Support
The problem that was a big part of this problem is that there was no government in place to help those who were not as wealthy as the people that were. So the people that were not as wealthy had to go on their own and find ways to get a job.
The Poor Laws
There were a lot of people that did not have a lot of money and they had to work hard for what they have. This is why they started the Poor Laws in many cities.
