AP US History in 1 Minute Daily: The Gilded Age (Day 200/309)

Hey APUSHers, let’s chat about the Gilded Age as part of my series- APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!

Real U.S. GNP Per Capita, Wikimedia Commons

The Gilded Age, a period spanning roughly from the 1870s to the early 1900s, was characterized by unprecedented economic growth, technological advancements, and profound social changes. 

Gilding, GIUSTO MANETTI BATTILORO 

The term was coined by Mark Twain to describe the stark contrast between the superficial glitter of wealth that covered underlying societal problems and government corruption. 

“The Protectors of our Industries,” Wikimedia Commons

Industrialization and the expansion of railroads propelled the nation into an era of rapid economic development, creating immense wealth for a small elite while leaving many workers in difficult and exploitative conditions. 

Bosses of the Senate, United States Senate

The era was marked by political corruption, as business interests often influenced government policies, and political machines, exemplified by Tammany Hall in New York, wielded significant power. 

The Gilded Age is a term used to describe the economic disparities of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and reflected the increasing calls for political reform.

Join me tomorrow as I explain Civil Service Reform in the next APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!