The Gilded Age was the period between the 1870s and the 1890s in the history of the United States of America. The term was coined by the famous Mark Twain meaning that the country was glittering on the surface but suffering from corruption from the inside. In simple terms, this was a period in which the country was facing corruption and various social evils in the high levels of governance. “These social behaviors include vulgar behavior, scandalous-plagued politics, shady business practices, corporate buccaneers and unscrupulous speculators” (Oakes, James, McGerr, Lewis, Cullather, Boydston, Summers, and Townsend, 167). Though, it could be seen that the period was marked with an increase in trade as the railway was completed. Steel and iron manufacturing also thrived proving industrious for the country. With these considerations in question, the Gilded Age was more of an era in which the country faced serious social problems as opposed to the advancements it made in terms of the economy, politics, and social development.
Economically, the Gilded Age marked economic growth in the country marking the fastest growth rate the country has ever experienced. This was marked by increase in wealth, GDP, real wages and capital formation of the nationals. “The GNP of the country was growing at a rate of 12% per year” according to the lecture notes during the era. According to Of The People, “The total output of corn increased by 222%, wheat 256%, coal 800% and railway tracks increased were built by a total of 567%” (Oakes, James, McGerr, Lewis, Cullather, Boydston, Summers, and Townsend, 167). The creation of the railway network eased on the transportation of products. Corporations were formed hence forming the backbone of most businesses in the area. By the end of the 19th century, industrial production and per capita income in the US led in the world. This doubled that of France and Germany and was 50% higher than that of Britain. This later on resulted in the construction of Cities and towns in the North-East as a result of the creation of new factories in the area.
In politics, the Gilded Age was characterized by the Third Party System. The main parties in this age were the Democrats and Republicans with many other small parties coming and falling on the way. “The two major parties fought for the control of the highest offices that were responsible for the running of the country” (Oakes, James, McGerr, Lewis, Cullather, Boydston, Summers, and Townsend, 167). In the south, ‘rumors about the civil wars were still heard off, this meant that they would vote for the democrats in any general election with things changing after the reconstruction in 1877’(Oakes, James, McGerr, Lewis, Cullather, Boydston, Summers, and Townsend, 167). The Credit Mobilier of America Scandal during the Grant Administration led to the division of the Republican Party into two major fractions, the Half-Breeds and the Stalwarts. The Republicans of this age were known to favor protectionist and inflationary policies while the democrats favored free trade and hard money policies.
There was a characterized rapid urban development especially on the north. “This was due to the increased demand of the unskilled, immigrants from Europe to come to work in the mining camps, mill towns and the industrial Cities” (Lecture notes). The cities of Chicago, Philadelphia and New York experienced highly rapid growth. With these urbanizations, the development of street railways and electric trolleys took place to replace horse-drawn street cars. On the other hand, there was dramatic rise in farming. The farm numbers tripled from 2 million in 1860 to 6 million in 1905 while the number of people in the farms increased from 10-31 million in the same period. According to the lecture notes, “population growth in the whole country grew from 31 million to 76 million”.
Mark Twain is seen to view the Gilded Age of the United States from a different perspective as most of the writers. To him, the age resulted in the growth of the economy but focused on the social evils behind this development. He focused mainly on the corruption of the officials and the government for their own benefit. As a result, Mark Twain missed out on the development that the economy growth brought to the Country. This is the main point of focus as the country gained more than it loosed during the Age. “Social Tension was seen to increase as the number of immigrants increased in the country” (Lecture notes).
Works Cited
Oakes, James, Michael McGerr, Jan E. Lewis , Nick Cullather, Jeanne Boydston, Mark Summers, and Camilla Townsend. Of the People: A History of the United States, Concise, Volume II: Since 1865. N.p., 2012. Print.
