The Gilded Age

The Gilded Age, a term coined by Mark Twain, refers to the late 19th century, roughly from the 1870s to the early 1900s, characterized by rapid economic growth, industrialization, and significant social change in the United States. This period saw the rise of powerful industrialists and monopolies, such as Andrew Carnegie in steel and John D. Rockefeller in oil, which contributed to unprecedented wealth but also exacerbated social inequalities. Labor movements emerged in response to poor working conditions, low wages, and long hours, leading to strikes and the formation of unions. Additionally, the Gilded Age was marked by political corruption and a lack of effective government regulation, prompting calls for reform and eventually leading to the Progressive Era.