“The Gilded Age”Social Darwinism and the Early Reform

Movement(and a quick word on the state of POLITICS)

FIRST of all… lets figure out this whole “GILDED” Age

name thing!

"The golden gleam of the gilded surface hides the cheapness of the

metal underneath."New inventions, booming industries, millions of ‘new’

Americans, skyscrapers, electricity and wealthy entrepreneurs, BUT…

The Gilded Age – Main Ideas 1. Americans form VERY distinct

attitudes towards the newly emerged industrial society! Individualism and Social Darwinism

2. Reformers developed new ideas for helping the urban poor… Pre-Progressive era reform

3. The politics of Washington even focused on the economy! Democrats vs. Republicans and Political

Machines

The American Attitude Towards SuccessDo you think that every

person should be left on their own to succeed or fail?

Why did Americans develop distinct attitudes towards societal success and industrial society? 1. Horatio Alger and his

“rags-to-riches” novels… 2. The idea of “individualism”3. Social Darwinism

The American Attitude Towards SuccessHoratio Alger, Jr. – late 19th

century author… ◦ What idea did his books

describe?

Americans saw themselves as the reason for progress! ◦ This is the idea of

individualism…

These ideas probably had the greatest affect on who?

The American Attitude Towards Success

Charles Darwin ◦ What is Natural

Selection?◦ Herbert Spencer and…◦ Social Darwinism

“Survival of the fittest”

Who supported these ideas?◦ NOT Christians! ◦ Wealthy industrialists, of

course…

The American Attitude Towards SuccessA bit softer version of

Social Darwinism…

Andrew Carnegie’s The Gospel of Wealth◦ Philanthropy and “helping

those that cannot help themselves”

The Early Reform MovementThe Progressive Era was ALL ABOUT reform and change…

◦ Reform during the Gilded Age was slow and gradual – but, started the movement!

How did the early reform movement begin? 1. Society begins to challenge Social Darwinism 2. The Social Gospel movement begins to spread

The Early Reform Movement Industrialization,

Urbanization and Immigration triggered debate on how to address society’s problems… (STILL TODAY!!!) ◦ Government’s role in

economy and society

Social Darwinism is challenged! 1. 1879, Henry George,

Progress and Poverty *

2. 1883, Lester Frank Ward, Dynamic Sociology

3. 1888, Edward Bellamy, Looking Backward

The Early Reform Movement* The Social Gospel

movement spread as societal problems became more apparent… ◦ Protestant Christian movement

to solve problems in society!

“Salvation” and good deeds were tied together – emulate the life of Jesus Christ!◦ Purpose of wealth was not to…

* Challenged Social Darwinism and would heavily influence the Progressive Movement!

The Early Reform MovementHow did churches get involved

in the community to help the urban poor deal with problems?

1. 1880s, the Salvation Army ◦ Drug addicts and “undesirables”

2. 1870s, Young Men’s Christian Assoc. (YMCA)

◦ Libraries, gyms, hotels, etc.

3. 1880s, Settlement Houses ◦ Community Center; health care,

education, rec. programs◦ Jane Addams – “Hull House” (1889)

The State of Politics (D.C. and Local)Democrats and Republicans competed for the

interests of the American people while urban problems caused local politics to drastically change…

What issues did politicians focus on at the end of the 19th century? 1. The Civil Service system (patronage and the “spoils” system)

2. Interstate Commerce (railroads – the ICC)

3. Tariffs (Reps vs. Dems)

4. Trusts 5. Urban poverty (Political Machines)

The State of National Politics1877, Rutherford B. Hayes

(Rep.)◦ patronage – “spoils”◦ 1880, James Garfield…

assassinated! (Arthur becomes Pres.)

◦ 1883, Pendleton Act

1884, Grover Cleveland (Dem.)◦ 1887, Interstate Commerce Act ◦ Tariff debate (REPS vs. DEMS)

1888, Benjamin Harrison (Rep.)◦ McKinley Tariff◦ * Sherman Anti-Trust Act *

The State of Local PoliticsPolitical Machines pop

up in large cities… ◦ “informal political group

designed to gain and keep power”

◦ Why did they pop up? 1. PROS… Provided much

needed services to the urban poor

2. CONS… Took bribes and gave contracts to friends

William “Boss” Tweed and Tammany Hall (NY City – 1860s and 70s) ◦ $50 – 75 million from NYC!

($2 – 6 billion today!)