The Gilded Age Of The Robber Barons - 1851 Words

As we move closer to the 2016 national elections in the United States, claims of a growing wealth gap between the supposed â€Å"haves† and â€Å"have-nots† becomes more pronounced. Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton even went so far as to caution us that we are advancing towards a repeat of the â€Å"Gilded Age of the robber barons†. The insinuation in this claim creates a perception that there are a growing number of individuals within American society using questionable methods to increase their wealth, all at the expense of the not so fortunate. So-called culprits of these activities are often referred to as the â€Å"top 1 percent†; a term gaining a strong foothold in our current vernacular. Although the existence of an income inequality gap is evident, subjectively misinterpreted data is the primary culprit driving the perception that the income inequality gap is expanding. A brief look at history validates that an income inequality gap between the wealthy â€Å"haves† and those viewed as â€Å"have-notes† has existed for hundreds of years. Consider for a moment the French revolution that occurred during 1789. Prior to this event, French society consisted primarily of three estates made up of the clergy, nobles, and those viewed as the common people. Individuals could not move up the social ladder as access to those positions and their related privileges were determined by birth. Government policies such as the assignment of taxes based on the inequality between the estates wereShow MoreRelated`` The Jungle `` : Social Injustice And Unfair Treatment Of The Working Class1128 Words   |  5 PagesThe Gilded Age in American History was a time period of great controversy. Those in wealthier classes believed the changes that had been made socially were for the best. For instance, Andrew Carnegie in the The Gospel of Wealth sees the industrial ization in a positive light. He, along with other Robber Barons of the late nineteenth-century are the ones that created the idea of a â€Å"Gilded Age†. His class of folks believed their contributions to society was bringing back a Golden Age. Carnegie, thoughRead MoreThe Gilded Age Of The Nineteenth Century And The Succeeding Period887 Words   |  4 PagesTwo prominent eras of American History were the Gilded Age at the end of the nineteenth century and the succeeding period, the Progressive Era. The Gilded Age, also know as the Second Industrial Revolution, was a peak of high economic development with the rise of technological advancements in a free market environment, meaning that the economy was driven by self-interest instead of government authority. Besides its economic growth, the Gilded Age handle changes in social divisions. After the abolishmentRead MoreThe Gilded Age And Imperialism Expansion1827 Words   |  8 Pagesculture can be paradoxical The Gilded Age or Imperialism expansion examine the conflicting values that America held for each. The gilded age was a period in history that caused a vast transformation due to the increase of American industrialization. Values and attitudes toward The Gilded Age varied. The poor workers often saw the changed caused by the Gilded Age as corrupt, where the rich business men looked at it as a positive change. The poor laborers in the gilded age often viewed the change thatRead MoreThe Era Of The American Civil War2163 Words   |  9 Pagesbusinessmen to rise to power: those who dominated an entire industry, sometimes several markets. They were the hallmark of the so-called Gilded Age, which lasted from the end of reconstruction until the early 1900s. These men, known as Robber Barons, shaped the American economy, necessitating new laws to be signed to limit their power . Although there were only four main Barons (John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and J.P. Morgan), they controlled much of the economy with their fourRead MoreIs Democracy Throughout The United States Working?1189 Words   |  5 Pagesconsensus, to make meaningful decisions. This is an age where the right course of action has become too unpopular. And even though the vast majority of the American people, do not have much confidence in the current crop of political representatives in Washington D C, there is no real punishment or consequences, for the most part, facing these politicians, therefore they continue as if all is fine. Our democracy have had problems before. During Gilded Age 1, a period of rapid economic growth—except thenRead MoreApush- Monopolies968 Words   |  4 Pagesand the ability to control much within the United States. Their power and influence expanded and impacted the economic and political aspects of our nation. These corporations dominated American business and defined the American culture. The Gilded Age, a term coined by Mark Twain, was used to describe the conditions within the United States during this time. The nation was â€Å"lined with gold†, but had many struggles and obstacles that spread through the social, political, and economic aspectsRead More The Gilded Age Essays1610 Words   |  7 Pages When you are young and even well into your adult years people will tell you there will always be somebody who is smarter, faster, happier, or better at something than you are. This is true for all periods of time but in the Gilded Age those who were better gained more and more crushing the people below them with unprecedented greed, corruption, and power. The few exploited the many by way of opportunity. Something our nation was built on, yet the avaricious elite used it for evil methods. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;InRead MoreAmerican History: The Gilded Age Essay933 Words   |  4 PagesThe Gilded Age was the last three decades of the nineteenth century, when America’s industrial economy exploded generating opportunities for individuals but also left many workers struggling for survival. With the many immigrants, skilled and unskilled, coming to America the labor system is becoming flooded with new employees. During this period, the immigrants, including the Italians, were unskilled and the skilled workers were usually American-born. There was also a divide in the workers and theRead MoreThe United States Post Civil War1173 Words   |  5 PagesLondon in 1900. The substantial growth of the U.S economically can be contributed to a group of wealthy capitalists that ran businesses/industries and stimulated economic growth. However, historians have argued over whether these capitalists were â€Å"robber barons† that were corrupt and took advantage of the A merican people or â€Å"captains of industry† that helped the U.S grow at unparalleled speeds. Wealthy capitalists such as Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller were indeed â€Å"captains of industry† who enlargedRead MoreEssay On Gilded Age1218 Words   |  5 Pages01, 2017 Mid Term Exam SHORT ANSWER TOPIC: 1. Gilded Age In the last few decades of the nineteenth century, America stepped into innovation. The economic growth dramatically, new products, transportation systems and technologies improved. The wealth is highlighted by the American upper class such as Andre Carnegie, William A. Clark, John Jacob Astor, and many more. This might know as the â€Å"Golden Age†, however, most Americans called it the â€Å"Gilded Age†. This term was made by Mark Twain in 1873 . In