6.11 Reform in the Gilded Age

7 min read•june 18, 2024

Ashley Rossi

Riya Patel

AP US History 🇺🇸

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Introduction

During the Gilded Age, the United States underwent rapid industrialization and urbanization, which led to significant economic growth and prosperity. However, this growth was not evenly distributed, and many Americans, particularly those in urban areas, struggled with poverty and inequality. The gap between the wealthy and the working class widened, and many Americans felt left behind by the economic boom.

In addition to these economic issues, the Gilded Age was also marked by significant political problems, including corruption and political machines. Many politicians and business leaders were accused of using their power and influence for personal gain. This led to a loss of faith in the government and a growing sense that the system was rigged against the average citizen.

The Gilded Age also saw a rise in social reform movements, as many Americans began to call for changes to address the problems of poverty, inequality, and corruption. These movements, which included the Progressive Movement, advocated for a more active role for government in addressing social and economic issues, and led to the passage of important reforms such as the Sherman Antitrust Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act. Overall, the Gilded Age was a period of great change, growth and challenges.

Muckrakers

The muckrakers were journalists and writers who exposed the social and economic problems of the Gilded Age. They wrote about issues such as poverty, corruption, and the exploitation of workers, and helped to bring these problems to the public's attention. Their work contributed to a growing call for reform in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The problems of the Gilded Age led to new political debates over issues such as citizenship, economic corruption, and civil rights. Many believed that it was the responsibility of the federal government to step in and regulate these issues. This led to a number of reforms, including the establishment of regulatory agencies, such as the Federal Reserve and the Federal Trade Commission, and the passage of laws such as the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, which aimed to curb the power of monopolies.

Many of the debates and reforms that took place during the Gilded Age continue to shape American politics and society today. Many of the issues that were addressed such as poverty, inequality, and corruption remain a concern for many Americans.

Social Gospel

The Social Gospel movement was a religious and social movement that emerged in the late 19th century. It advocated for Christians to actively work to improve the lives of the poor and marginalized in society. The Social Gospel movement emphasized the importance of applying Christian principles to social problems such as poverty, inequality, and injustice.

As a result of the Social Gospel movement, many charitable organizations were established to help the urban poor. These include the Salvation Army and YMCA. These organizations helped to provide services such as housing, education, and job training to those in need.

The Social Gospel movement also had a significant impact on the arts and literature of the time. Many artists and authors began to use their platform to call for social reform and to raise awareness about the plight of the poor. They used their work to expose the social and economic injustices of the Gilded Age and to inspire change.

The movement had a lasting effect on the American society, still today many non-profit organizations and charities are based on the Social Gospel principles. The call for social justice also influenced the government to pass laws and regulations to protect the rights of the poor and marginalized groups, and also influenced the creation of many welfare programs.

Women’s Suffrage

The women's suffrage movement was one of the major reform movements of the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era. The National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) was one of the leading organizations in the movement, which aimed to secure the right to vote for women. Women of this era faced limited educational and career opportunities, and even fewer opportunities in politics. Despite these challenges, women were actively involved in a wide range of reform efforts, not just those related to gender equality.

Women's suffrage movement was a long struggle that lasted for several decades. The women's suffrage activists were met with resistance from many quarters, including from some of their own male counterparts. Women of different backgrounds, ethnicity and social status joined together to fight for the right to vote and to be recognized as equal citizens.

In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified, granting women the right to vote. This was a significant achievement for the suffragists and for women's rights in general. The right to vote gave women a voice in the political process and helped to pave the way for greater political and economic opportunities for women in the future.

The suffrage movement also had a broader impact on American society as it helped to bring attention to the broader issue of gender inequality and it laid the foundation for the modern feminist movement.

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Key Vocabulary

Settlement houses: Settlement houses were community centers established in urban areas to provide services such as education, job training, and medical care to the poor. They were often run by social reformers and were an important part of the progressive movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Social Gospel: The Social Gospel was a religious and social movement that emerged in the late 19th century. It advocated for Christians to actively work to improve the lives of the poor and marginalized in society.
Cardinal James Gibbons: Cardinal James Gibbons was a Catholic priest and bishop who was a prominent figure in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was a leading advocate for the rights of immigrants and the working class and was known for his progressive views on social issues.
Dwight Moody: Dwight Moody was a Christian evangelist and publisher who was active in the late 19th century. He was a leading figure in the religious revival known as the "Third Great Awakening" and was known for his powerful preaching and his emphasis on personal salvation.
Mary Baker Eddy: Mary Baker Eddy was the founder of Christian Science, a religious movement that emphasizes spiritual healing and the power of prayer. She was an influential figure in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and her teachings continue to be followed by many today.
NAWSA: The National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) was one of the leading organizations in the movement to secure the right to vote for women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
WCTU: The Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was a social reform organization that was founded in the late 19th century. It advocated for the prohibition of alcohol and was also active in other social reform causes such as women's suffrage and education.
Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt: Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States, he served from 1901 to 1909. He was a Progressive reformer who championed the rights of the working class, advocated for environmental conservation and broke up big monopolies.
McGuffey's readers: McGuffey's readers were a series of widely used textbooks that were used in American schools in the 19th century. They were known for their moral and religious content, and were considered to be an important part of the curriculum during this time period.
W.E.B. DuBois: W.E.B. DuBois was an African American sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist. He was one of the most prominent voices in the early civil rights movement and was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University.
Minor v. Happersett: Minor v. Happersett was a U.S. Supreme Court case that was decided in 1875. The case dealt with the question of whether or not women had the right to vote under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The court ruled that women did not have the right to vote.
Edward Bellamy: Edward Bellamy was an American author and socialist whose book "Looking Backward" was a best-seller in the late 19th century. The book described a utopian society in which the government was responsible for ensuring the well-being of all citizens.
Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is a Christian charity organization that was established in the late 19th century. It provides services such as housing, education, and job training to those in need.
Ashcan School: The Ashcan School was a group of American realist artists active in the early 20th century. They focused on depicting the everyday lives of urban Americans, particularly those of the working class and immigrant populations. Their work was characterized by a gritty, realistic style and a focus on social issues.
Pragmatism: Pragmatism is a philosophical movement that emerged in the late 19th century in the United States. It emphasizes the practical application of ideas and the use of experience and observation to determine the truth or usefulness of something. Pragmatists argue that the meaning of an idea or concept is determined by its practical effects, rather than by any inherent truth or logic. It had a great influence on American culture and politics during this period.
The Anti-Saloon League (ASL) was a powerful political organization in the United States that advocated for the prohibition of alcohol. The organization was founded in 1893 and quickly grew in membership and influence. It became one of the most powerful lobbies in the country and played a major role in the passage of the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which established Prohibition in 1920. The ASL worked to elect politicians who supported prohibition and put pressure on those who did not. It also sought to educate the public about the dangers of alcohol and the benefits of a dry society. The organization was active until the repeal of Prohibition in 1933.