The Gilded Age

Definition

The Gilded Age refers to the period from approximately 1870 to 1900 in American history characterized by rapid industrialization, technological advancements, and significant wealth accumulation among a small elite class. While some Americans experienced great prosperity during this time, there were also widespread social inequalities and political corruption beneath this "gilded" surface.

Related terms

Industrialization: The process of transitioning from an agrarian-based economy to one dominated by factories, mass production, and the growth of urban areas.

Technological Advancements: Innovations such as the invention of the telephone, electricity, and new transportation systems (railroads) that fueled rapid economic growth and changed the way people lived and worked during The Gilded Age.

Social Inequalities: The stark disparities in wealth, living conditions, and opportunities between different social classes during this time period.