1. THE GILDED AGE

2. 1870-1900 Cities grew and urbanization expanded Gilded: covered with gold on the outside, but made of cheaper material on the inside Critics point to corruption, poverty, crime, and great differences between the poor and rich.

3. THE IDEA OF INDIVIDUALISM No matter the country of origin, people could rise as far as they want based on talents and commitments Horatio Alger Wrote 100 rags to riches novel Stories about people that moved to the city and gained wealth

4. SOCIAL DARWINISM Reinforced the idea of individualism Herbert Spencer Societies have evolved based on competition and natural selection Survival of the fittest Natural law works out who succeeds and who fails

5. SOCIAL DARWINISM Darwin upset church members with his Theory of Evolution Theory of evolution went against creationism Some ministers think that evolution was a way that God created the world Became Christian Evolutionist

6. CARNEGIE’S GOSPEL OF WEALTH Wealthy Americans should engage in philanthropy Using their fortunes to help people learn more and gain the necessary information to be successful Andrew Carnegie-helped fund public libraries Building schools and hospitals allowed people to get help rather than a handout

7. CHANGING CULTURE Realism Art and literature made to express reality Mark Twain Wrote stories that reflected that language of the people that read his writings. Popular culture Saloons Amusement parks and sports Vaudeville and Ragtime

8. Elected President in 1880 Spoils of office Government jobs handed out following an election Shot on July 2, 1881 A man seeking a job thought it would be better for Chester A. Arthur to be President Shot and killed President Garfield THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT GARFIELD

9. POLITICS Civil Service Reform No more spoil system Jobs went to people through a written application The election of 1884 Interstate Commerce Commission Regulated the charges that railroads made companies pay to send goods Debating Tariffs Wanting to lower taxes to lessen the price of goods

10. REPUBLICANS REGAIN POWER The McKinley Tariff Control of House and Senate Protected American products Angered people with the rise of products Caused the defeat of President Harrison The Sherman Antitrust Act No combination of companies or trusts across state lines Manufacturing was not interstate commerce

11. HELPING THE URBAN POOR The Social Gospel Charity and justice for better conditions Salvation Army and YMCA Helped in reform and working to aid the urban poor Settlement House Movement Community Center where classes were offered as well as medical care Jane Addams Hull House Public Education Needed Education for young people