Corruption and Prosperity in the Gilded Age

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Deriving from the famed novel The Gilded Age written by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner, the Gilded Age was a time from the early 1860s to the early 1900s of political corruption and vast economic prosperity. After the Civil War, America became determined to reconstruct itself into a society not restricted as to what it could and could not have as individuals in terms of goods and services. America wanted to be viewed as something more than just farmers and craftsmen derived from different nations. During this time railroads, telephone lines and other revolutionary industrial contributions helped to cover up the problems of American society with a layer of gold, as wages in America increased dramatically over the years. In addition, political representatives in America at this time were corrupt in the way they administered office, thinking they were above the law and should be allowed to attain all the wealth in the world. Political representatives were also corrupt in the way they campaigned on both municipal and federal levels, offering bribes for votes to secure a chosen party in government. The economic and social changes America faced during this time are what helped shape the nation into the superpower it is today.

As a result of greed, political elections in America became exciting. Voter participation was at an all time high and presidents won elections by slim majorities. Most memorable is the election of 1880 when James Garfield won the federal election by only 1898 votes. The political corruption that occurred during this time happened on both a federal and municipal level. This was the time the political machine really started to take shape. Those who were running in the federal elections would gain votes in urba...

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... interference of federal troops, which led to the arrest of ARU leader, Eugene V. Debs. The aftermath of the boycott included 30 deaths, 57 injuries, and $80,000,000 worth of property damage. It turns out all was not lost for those in Pillman upon returning to work. Four years after the boycott unskilled workers were earning more than ever at a daily wage of $1.86.

In conclusion, the Gilded Age was a time of corruption and prosperity on both a political and economic scale. The everlasting lust for money and power is what drove the US to become the superpower it is today. Although the US faced many political and social issues during this time it is apparent that they as a nation triumphantly overcame the obstacle of being a small dependent country. With dexterity and perseverance the States became the most powerful industrial force in the world within a few decades.

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