Question

The new economy after the American Civil presented immense changes to industry, technology, occupations, and life in general. As you know from your reading, these changes included the proliferation of factories and large corporations, as well as rising economic inequalities.

With these new challenges, we also begin to see new visions for how society can best address societal problems. This week's primary source readings (Voices of Freedom, Foner) present you with various thinkers and their views on the Gilded Age.

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Discussion

Select two of the primary sources from this week's Voices of Freedom and answer the following questions:

Source #1:

1) According to this author, what are the main challenges of the Gilded Age Economy, who are being impacted, and what solutions does the author offer?

2) How does this author understand freedom in the Gilded Age?

Source #2:

3) According to this author, what are the main challenges of the Gilded Age Economy, who are being impacted, and what solutions does the author offer?

4) How does this author understand freedom in the Gilded Age?

Answer 1

Challenges

1). Industrial workers and farmers didn't share in the new prosperity, working long hours in dangerous condition for low pay.

2) Glided Age politicians were largely corrupt and ineffective.

3). Most Americans during the Glided Age wanted political and social reforms,but they disagreed strongly on what kind of reforms.

Impact after 20th century

1) When it turns to 20th century,the term "Glided Age ' has survived .During those years,American's economy did grow at an extraordinary rate,generating unprecedented levels of wealth.

2) Railroads and soon,telephone lines, stretched across the country , creating new opportunities for entrepreneur and cheaper goods for consumer.

3)During these years,American politics were dynamic and exciting.Voter participation rates were extraordinary high and national elections were decided by razor thin margins.

Author understand freedom as..

Glided Age contemporaries condemned or defended the social and economic forces at play, the historians find that the period was more compelling ,almost all agree that things began to change around the turn of century.

A common interpretation of these years suggests that in 1901 ,industries and politicians who had long operated without restraint suddenly faced a new president and an increasingly concerned middle class ,anxious to reforms the abuses they perceived in American economic and political life.