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

2. The last decades of the 19th century became known as “the Gilded Age”
The term was coined by novelist Mark Twain in his 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”?

3. 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)
James Garfield (R) 1881
Chester A. Arthur (R)
Grover Cleveland (D) ;
Benjamin Harrison (R)

4. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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