Understanding the Gilded Age

The Gilded Age, spanning from 1870 to around 1900, represents a period in American history characterized by significant wealth concentration among a small elite while the broader population faced stark poverty. This era introduced terms like 'the idle rich' and highlighted extravagant lifestyles, such as lavish banquets served to pet monkeys, which starkly contrasted with the conditions experienced by the working class. The wealth during this time primarily stemmed from booming industries, notably railroads, steel, and oil, which thrived due to a combination of entrepreneurial spirit and government support through subsidies and tariffs. These economic dynamics set the stage for rampant inequality, as the immense fortunes generated often left a trail of suffering for numerous workers laboring in harsh conditions.