Political And Social Injustices In The Gilded Age

The political and social injustices that were present in the Gilded Age inspired several reformists to change society through social changes and reforms. These activists sought to reform against political corruption, labor conditions, women's suffrage, and ideologies. Most of these reforms helped to improve the social issues of America's corrupt society. For instance, many people of the middle class were against the theory of Social Darwinism, the idea that some people were genetically predisposed to be better than others through natural selection and that the government shouldn't be involved in private businesses or free-markets (laissez-faire). Reform Darwinists believed that the government should be able to interfere with private businesses

I believe that this social theory was a major step for closing the gap between the rich and the poor. The people who were better off were more influenced to help out those we were suffering because they were inspired by the idea that all people were somewhat equal and had the chance of becoming successful. The poor might have even been inspired to improve their life instead of complying with the theory that natural selection had already determined their fate. The Gilded Age offered women greater opportunities for education and public involvement, either through work or campaigns for social changes such as the fight for suffrage, campaigns for better living conditions and child care, and issues related to reproductive rights ("The Gilded Age and the Beginning"). Women confidently voiced their opinions by forming Woman's Christian Temperance Union, which worked to prohibit the use of alcohol, and establishing the settle house movement. These settlement houses provided housing, food, English lessons, day care services, and tips on how to adapt to American culture for the destitute immigrants who had nowhere to

Through the process of industrialization and urbanization, America was able to transition from a small agrarian economy to an industrial economy that doubled. When I visualize America without the positive or negative effects of the Gilded Age, I see a small country that is isolated from others, with a poor economy that is unprofitable and weak. I imagine a country that is dominated by one race and restricted from the power of other countries. As you can infer, I firmly believe that the Gilded Age played an active role in helping America become a world power. It offered several opportunities for America to grow as a nation through its economic, industrial, and social changes. America's economy doubled, industrial cities appeared all over the country, workers were offered better job opportunities, and immigrants benefited from higher wages and jobs and even transformed America into a culturally diverse society. Not only did new technological and industrial advances help to boost production, wealthy individuals financially supported the economy and donated to many foundations, buildings, and organizations, and social reforms, such as reform Darwinism, helped