GA - The Gilded Age Module Overview

The Gilded Age

Introduction

The Gilded Age was one of expansion and progress. During and after Reconstruction, Americans continued to expand westward. This expansion created conflicts with the American Indians. By 1890 the railroads had expanded and the American Indian nations had been defeated, thus ending the frontier era of American history. This was only the beginning of many new economic and social developments that ushered in a whole new way of life. The Industrial Revolution was moving full speed ahead with mass production and mechanization becoming commonplace.

Unfortunately, the Gilded Age also saw an expansion in the uneven distribution of wealth and political corruption. A small group of Americans controlled much of the wealth and most factory workers toiled long hours for low pay in conditions that were often dangerous. In the political realm, it was an era marked by corruption scandals in federal, state, and local government. So on the surface it looked like a "golden age", but as with every era there were both positive and negative characteristics.

Essential Questions

• How did the rise of "big business" fundamentally change the U.S. socially and economically?
• In what ways was the settlement of the West accomplished bringing the Era of the Frontier to an end?
• What were the major social and political forces during the late 19th Century?

 

Textbook Assignment

 Read the chapter in your textbook that relates to this module. Your instructor will provide you with a specific reading schedule. 

 

Key Terms

Click here to look over your key terms for this module. Links to an external site. Then review them with the activity below.

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