The Gilded Age (c.1870-c.1900)

The last decades of the 19th century became known as “the Gilded Age” The term was coined by novelist Mark Twain in his 1873 novel, The Gilded Age He depicted American society as gilded, or having a beautiful gold outside, but with a rotten core Why do you think this part of American history is considered to be “the Gilded Age”?

Politics of the gilded AGE Debate on whether democracy could succeed in a time dominated by large and powerful industries Presidents of the Gilded Age appeared weak and won elections by slim margins Rutherford B. Hayes (R) 1877-1881 James Garfield (R) 1881 Chester A. Arthur (R) 1881-1885 Grover Cleveland (D) 1885-1889; 1893-1897 Benjamin Harrison (R) 1889-1893

Many government officials during the gilded age were corrupt, often accepting bribes in exchange to push certain policies or “turn a blind eye” Political cartoonists expressed their concern about the damaging effects of corruption and big money Thomas Nast, political cartoonist, exposed the illegal activities of William Marcy “Boss” Tweed in NYC  Tammany Hall “The Bosses of the Senate” was one of the most famous political cartoons of the time showing big business influence over government

President Hayes worked towards civil service reform The spoils system was a central component to gilded age politics  civil service aimed to reform this Included federal jobs in the executive branch Government workers allowed to keep their jobs despite which political party was in office President Hayes worked towards civil service reform Later, led to the assassination of President Garfield Created more support for civil service reform

Pendleton Service Act (1883) Signed by President Arthur after Garfield was assassinated Established a Civil Service Commission Created civil service exam

Consumerism As industry and urbanization rose, workers began working for wages rather than for themselves on farms More products became more available and at lower prices This lead to conspicuous consumerism  people wanting and buying the many new product on the market More products and goods were available than what the average person needed

Owners of large businesses began the practice of widespread advertising to draw more customers Rowland H. Macy opened the first department in NYC in 1858  by the 1870’s many of the big cities had department stores Other companies began to create trademarks with distinctive logos the consumers would recognize For the first time, consumers noticed and bought brand-name goods

After the Civil War, and especially during the “Gilded Age,” Americans began to measure success by what they could buy Cost of living decreased because manufactured products and new technologies cost less Upper and middle-class, along with some working class benefited from these new products and technologies As transportation, communication, and advertising became more widespread, Americans started to be more alike in their consumption patterns

Mass Culture mass culture  the set of ideas and values that develop from a common exposure to the same media, news sources, music, and art Newspapers became a way to reflect and help create mass culture Joseph Pulitzer bought the New York World in 1883 and changed how newspapers presented themselves He made newspapers sensationalistic, filled with articles of political corruption, comics, sports, and illustrations, rather than simply reporting news William Randolph Hearst acquired the New York Journal and became Pulitzer’s biggest competitor

Many authors wrote literary pieces that were very critical of the Gilded Age Stephen Crane  Maggie: A Girl of the Streets (1893) Mark Twain In the late 1800’s, public education expanded rapidly, especially in the North 1870: ~300 high schools 1910: ~5,000 high schools New forms of education were being introduced Urban schools directed to help Americanize immigrants Skill specific schools (ex: teacher-training schools) Liberal art universities Black Universities began to pop up in the South

Popular Entertainment Many people in urban areas turned to new types of entertainment during the Gilded Age Amusement parks began to pop up in cities around the country to provide a more thrilling experience 1884 the first roller coaster opened at Coney Island in NYC Shows such as Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show shaped the world’s romantic notion of the American West Annie Oakley and Sitting Bull Sports became a popular spectacle especially baseball The National League set up a professional baseball business