6.3: The Gilded Age

Era when society was perceived as doing well but the reality was corruption, poverty, crime, and a huge gap between the rich and

poor.

A. Individualism

The idea that anyone can be successful as long as you work hard and are honest

B. Business and Social Darwinism “Survival of the Fittest”

B. Social Darwinism

1. Success or failure of a business were considered to be the natural selection process at work

2. laissez-faire:Government did not have the right to get involved

3. Riches were a sign of God’s favor; poor were lazy and no good

C. Horatio Alger

1. Emphasized the individual work ethic

2. “Rags to Riches”

3. Good virtue

4. Hard work will pay off

D. Gospel of WealthPhilanthropy - Make as much money as you can so that you can give it away

E. Changing Popular Culture

1. Saloonsa. Today’s bars

b. Hangout

c. Political centers

2. Vaudeville and Ragtime

Theater and music; the precursor to jazz

3. Amusement Parks and Sports

a. Spectator sports• Baseball

• Basketball

• Football

b. Parks

c. Why?

F. Civil Service Reform

1. Traditionala. Spoils system – the

winner of the election would give jobs to those who helped him

b. Bred corruption and inefficiency

2. NewPendleton Act – jobs given based on qualifications not political affiliation

Commonality?

Social Gospel movement

The Salvation Army

The YMCA

Settlement houses

G. Social reformers – young, middleclass people who tried helping out the poor

1. Social Gospel Mvmta. Make things better

for people by way of charity and justice

b. Churches involved in community social programs

c. Variety of programs

d. Save your soul by saving the poor

2. Salvation Army & YMCA

a. Both religious organizations

b. Offered temporary shelter as well as services

Jane Addams

“Hull House”

Settlement Houses

H. Americanization Movement

Programs which provided immigrants with education on various subjects as well as social customs and traditions that would help them assimilate – school!