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Enlightenment Movement In The Gilded Age

1252 Words6 Pages

A shift in American society and culture can be marked by times where there is an explosion of new ideas. These alternative ideas usually reflect a discontent with the status quo. As a result, movements are created in order to challenge societal norms, and they often offer solutions to the issues brought up by mainstream culture. Throughout American history, there is a constant progression of expansion of democracy and moral reform. The many new movements created during the Romantic era and throughout the Gilded Age, both reflected a rejection of mainstream culture and sought to give more people a voice. The first half of the 19th century saw a major cultural change. The Enlightenment movement was beginning to lose its traction. This was because people felt that Enlightenment ideals focused too much on the community as a whole, and that individuals were being overlooked as a result. People who were undermined by society, such as women and African Americans, supported the idea that …show more content…

This meant that there were more jobs to choose from. Large industrial businesses required middle management; people to communicate between the workers and the owners or head of the businesses. Marketing and advertising were also emerging industires at the time. These new stable jobs led to the growth of a new middle class. People now found that these jobs often gave them enough money to spend on whatever they pleased. This led to the creation of leisure activities and consumer culture. Department stores attracted people with a somewhat disposable income, as people bought not only what they needed, but what they wanted. Athletic events, amusement parks and theater shows were all leisure activities that reflected the free time middle and upper class people had in the city. The upper classes in the cities experienced new financial opportunities and enjoyed public works and

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