The Gilded Age: Growth, Struggle, and Change

The Gilded Age & the West

 

This image represents the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862, which allowed the United States government to give land and money to railroad companies to encourage westward expansion. The image shows how willing the government was to support railroad companies in order to connect the country and promote economic growth. It reflects the unending waves of American settlers moving west in search of land, jobs, and new opportunities. American capital played an important role by providing financial support and land grants, which helped railroad companies grow and made it easier for settlers and businesses to move into western territories. This scene also contributed to the loss of Native American sovereignty because railroad expansion required large amounts of land that Native tribes already lived on. Laws such as the Pacific Railroad Act and the Homestead Act allowed the government and private companies to take Native land without consent, forcing many tribes off their territories and weakening their ability to govern themselves. 

Capital, Labor & the Progressive Response

During the Gilded Age, inequality grew because of the rise of Robber Barons, who were wealthy industrialists that gained power by exploiting workers. Systems like Taylorism increased productivity, but they ignored worker safety and treated workers like machines. At the same time, the Great Merger Movement allowed large companies to take control of entire industries, which left workers with long hours, low pay, and very dangerous working conditions. Unlike today, workers during this time did not have many choices. Many people worked from sunup to sundown just to provide for their families, and they were often forced to accept unsafe jobs. Children were also required to work, which is painful to think about because they were treated almost like slaves and denied an education. This was not a choice for them, but something they had to do to survive. Progressives attempted to fix these problems by pushing reforms that protected workers and children. For example, child labor laws were created to stop children from working in dangerous conditions and to allow them to attend school. Labor unions also worked to improve conditions by fighting for better wages, shorter hours, and safer workplaces. 

https://youtu.be/PShWUU14yZM?si=VTnhSnsmRhwh7Lp7 

 

This video shows how child labor was common during the Gilded Age and how reformers used photos to show the harsh conditions children faced. These images helped the public see why laws were needed to protect children from dangerous factory work.