The Gilded Age As The Golden Age Of Technological Innovation

The government's job in the American economy changed drastically from the 1870s through the 1920s.

First, we must examine any events that occurred during this time and the effects it had on the community. The Gilded Age took place during the 19th century and is “ the golden age of technological innovation”. Society shifted away from agriculture and towards industrialization, which is something not everyone was prepared for. American industrial capitalism developed significantly as well as manufacturing and mass production. Machines used to make steel went from 13,000 tons to 10 million tons .

The invention of railroads helped promote growth and expansion in many different industries by making transportation faster and bringing many city’s wealth. Goods could be transported from one country to another more efficiently. Urban population increased from 31 million to 76 million . People that have lived in poverty in Southern and Eastern Europe emigrated to the Northern and Western States because they saw this as an opportunity for prosperity. Economic growth increased as well as the distance between the rich and poor.

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Before the Gilded Age workers were mainly farmers who had the opportunity to work at the speed they desired. Due to technological advancement there were now more factory workers. Andrew Carnegie played a role in big businesses, and they expanded and were acknowledged as a great source of power. There was lots of competition and companies began coming up with strategies that promoted organization and financial gain. It was becoming difficult for some companies to compete in the market place so they confided in the government for grants and subsidies.

The government did not want any intervention during this period. The amount of workers that were skilled and unskilled enlarged. Many of the people emigrating to the United States were unskilled. Meaning they were willing to work in dangerous environments for a long period of time with little pay.

The rise of industrial capitalism revolutionized American socioeconomic life in the late 19th century by affecting the way people lived. The Gilded Age promoted economic growth but caused problems in society. Living conditions have become more expensive. Trade unions in industrial cities were established and grew rapidly. The workers wanted to have control over their working conditions. Carnegie was against labor unions as well as government interference. He felt that he solved the problem between the rich and the poor, “Those who accumulated money had an obligation to use it to promote the advancement of society” Document 103, p.32. Although he and a couple others used their wealth to benefit society, not everyone participated in this. Some people were greedy and used their money to their benefit.