The Gilded Age: Introduction to the Historical Background

The first episode of The Gilded Age podcast introduces the historical background of the Gilded Age in New York City. The Gilded Age was a period of immense wealth and inequality that began after the Civil War and lasted until the early 20th century. The term 'Gilded Age' was coined by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner in their novel 'The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today,' which satirized the greed and corruption of the time. The episode explores the social hierarchy of New York in the 1880s, with established old money families like the Van Rein's being challenged by the rise of new money families like the Russells. It delves into the concept of 'old New York' versus 'new New York' and highlights the tensions and clashes between the two. The episode also touches on the role of women in society during this era, highlighting the limited options and challenges they faced for independence.