During the Gilded Age , many political members as well as barons saw an opportunity to take advantage to the influx of immigrants coming into America . Some of them even earned the name of " Robber Barons ". The men who earned this name were greedy , and the used their power to gain money. They did this through fraud , intimidation, union busting, violence and their political connections to gain an advantage over anyone of their competitors.
THE GILDED AGE
The Gilded Age , having gotten it's name in the early 1920's after MARK TWAIN'S book had started to soar in sales. During this age, America became prosperous with money and led to the growth in industry and technology.
The politics and scandals of the Era
1866 - 1867
The formation of the White supremacist group the KKK
( klu klux klan ) was formed in Tennessee. This was significant because it maintained racism and segregation in the post-Civil War South.
November 3rd, 1868
Republican Ulysses S. Grant defeats Democrat Horatio Seymour in the election , becoming the president. Grant receives 214 of 294 votes in the Electoral College. Ulysses S. Grant is best known as the Union general who led the United States to victory over the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. He usually is dismissed as one of the least important presidents in history.
Quiz
This author gave the name to the Era through the title of a book
- Mark twain
- Carngeie
Jan 10, 1870
Rockefeller ( a famous industrial robber baron)starts STANDARD OIL which is incorporated in Ohio. Rockefeller has been active in the oil business since 1863.
1871-1872
BOSS TWEED RING
Also known as one of the biggest scandals of the Gilded Age, William Magear Tweed – often referred to as "William Marcy Tweed" and widely known as "Boss" Tweed; he ran a political machine that controlled New York politics through corruption
1873- 1874
Mark Twain's book "The Gilded Age" satirized the political corruption at the time. Significant because it was the origin of the name.
THE PANIC OF 1873
A significant economic depression that lasted for 6 years - caused by the lack of demand for silver.
Quiz
What was Rockefeller's Oil company named ?
- Original Oil
- Standard Oil
- Better Oil
Did you know?
African Americans didnt get rights in the south until 1875?
1875-1876
The Civil Right Act of 1875
This was an act that guaranteed African Americans civil rights in the South. This was majorly significant due to the fact African Americans didnt have any rights in the South prior to this act. This guaranteed equal treatment in public transportation and public accommodations and service on juries.
Did you know?
The U.S. Supreme Court declared the act unconstitutional in the Civil Rights Cases in 1883
1877 - 1878
The Compromise of 1877
A deal in which Republicans had gotten presidency over the Democrats. This was majorly significant due to the payment of the deal , the Republicans withdrew their troops from the Reconstruction in the south . Which had ended it.
1877 - 1873
The Railroad Strike of 77'
A wage cut of the railway workers caused a huge strike. This was the first general strike in the USA that was stopped by the National Guard.
1893-1896
The Depression of 1893
The large economic depression was caused by there being too many railroads and bad loans by bank systems all over the country . It was one of the biggest depressions the US had gone through at that time.
1896 - 1897
Plessy v. Ferguson
A landmark Supreme Court case fought over segregation in the South. It upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation laws.
CAUSES
the dominant issue of money that could be made was the main issue that had caused the Gilded age.
EFFECTS
It caused growth in industry and technology but also led america to more financial problems for the future