Civil War: The Economic Effects Of The Gilded Age

Words: 1230
Pages: 5
Open Document
The civil war was one of great division. With the differing opinions across the nation, many believed the aftermath of the war would be just as gruesome as the battles during. After the war America made a change in its economic and social structures, which affects life as we know it today. These changes during the after-war period did not benefit all, but they were found advantageous to some and led to attainable goals in the future of the country. The period after the Civil War referred by some as the “Gilded Age” can be marked as a time of opportunity, a booming economy with constant technological innovation, and increased immigration.
The Civil War was fought for many reasons, one of them being the crippling reliance the South had on slaves …show more content…
Westward expansion made it easier for people to populate the west with workers; stirring trade with China, access to gold and silver mines, and cattle markets. This period of westward expansion was caused by private owners building railroads with the help of government subsidies and the many immigrants that needed work. Railroads helped to deliver goods across vast distances and connected people to the west. Richard White in his essay says that, “the railroads transformed western America, bringing into national and world markets with speed and thoroughness that is rarely seen in other parts of the globe. (Richard White, pg. 85)” The railroads steered the country to a more modern, developed society. Another productive economic opportunity was the Homestead Act. The act gave free land to encourage movement to the west. This made many flee to the west in hopes of a better life and allowed large farming companies to expand as they would pay people to live on these lands, also increasing industrialization and …show more content…
This land of promise and probabilities is what enticed many disadvantaged people to leave their home country. Immigration and the freeing of slaves in the beginning of the after war period is what led to the rise of a powerful industrial America. The growing populations caused a demand for industry, leading to the rise of big business, job opportunities, and
Show More

Related Documents: Civil War: The Economic Effects Of The Gilded Age

Comparison Of Reconstruction And The Gilded Age

Reconstruction, the continuation of the Gilded Age, and corruption and injustices to the working class and minorities such as women, African Americans and immigrants. Corruption was evident with redeemer governments, as well as unfair business practices, and political scandals. The ending of reconstruction made the minorities in the south volatile to money hungry business owners who took over the decade. The combination of the ending of reconstruction and the Gilded Age would spark later changes in business…

Words 1679 - Pages 7

Gilded Age Dbq Analysis

The Gilded Age was a time of industrial development, new immigrants and labor unions. Industrial developments led to monopolies, which helped men like Vanderbilt and Rockefeller prosper, but exploited the poor, often immigrant, workers who were willing to work for cheap money. Though the robber barons were a minority of the population, they still held a majority of the country’s wealth. This unequal distribution of wealth and poor working environments led to the formation and rise of labor unions…

Words 1135 - Pages 5

Essay on Alright: World War I

dissolve the political bands which have connected them…”? It is time for the American colonies to break away from Great Britain 3. List the characteristics of each era The Gilded Age 1870s-1900 “Pretty on the outside, not so pretty on the inside” The Progressive Era 1900-1920s Reform the problems of the Gilded Age (domestic policy) U.S. Rise to World Power 1890-1920 U.S.’s influence and territory expands beyond our borders (foreign policy) Big Business Monopolies/Trusts Labor Unions…

Words 1957 - Pages 8

United States and Essential Questions Essay

Advanced Placement Untied States History Dr. Alba 2014-2015 School Year Course Description: AP U.S. History covers the spectrum of American history from pre- Columbian days to the present. Using chronological and thematic approaches to the material, the course exposes students to extensive primary and secondary sources and to the interpretations of various historians. Class participation through seminar reports, discussions, debates, and role-playing activities is required; special emphasis…

Words 7288 - Pages 30

Visions Of Rebirth Essay

instant success got the attention of the many impoverished of the time. Those who didn’t jump on the wagon of the get rich quick mindset had to work extremely hard in order to survive, let alone live comfortably. Labor proved a large issue during the Gilded Age. Workers had to deal with “unregulated workplace[s]: recurring wage cuts and prolonged unemployment.” (73) The workers were no longer demanded as in the past. They were replaced by machinery or cheaper labor. They became referred to as “hands”,…

Words 1276 - Pages 6

Essay on AFAS 340 Midterm study guide

AFAS 340 Dr. Bowens MID-TERM STUDY GUIDE IV The Civil War (Harding) Reasons why war was fought Slavery, election of President Lincoln, state vs federal rights, economic & social differences; the South was based on a rural economy, while the North was based on a manufacturing economy and a more urban lifestyle. President Abe Lincoln positions Lincoln was an avowed opponent of the expansion of slavery but said he would not interfere with it where it existed Emancipation proclamation The Emancipation…

Words 1082 - Pages 5

Apush 2 Summary

make good president” Grant = most popular northern hero from war. Citizens from Philly, Washington, and hometown (Illinois) presented him with a house. NY gave him $105,000. One presidential vote was democratic & very narrow cultural background. Republicans nominated Grant for the presidency Grant’s letter of acceptance: “Let us have peace” Democrats denounced Military Reconstruction Wealthy eastern delegates: asked for federal war bonds be redeemed in gold- even though many were depreciated…

Words 1829 - Pages 8

Essay on Gilded Age

Gilded Age Mark Twain coined the term Gilded Age in a book. Mark Twain wrote of the Gilded Age, a time of enormous wealth accumulated by a few. Their success spread a gleaming gold leaf over American society. Beneath that veneer, however, lay the pervasive misery of the working classes. Laissez-Faire government was the norm. This form of government favors individual self-interest and competition, and opposes the taxation and regulation of commerce. Laissez faire reached its apex in the 1870s…

Words 6122 - Pages 25

Reagan Revolution Research Paper

The Causes, Policies, and Outcomes of the Reagan Revolution After the end of the Second World War, liberalism had seemed undefeatable. But by the end of the 1970s, the world of US politics had been turned upside down, culminating in the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan. This marked the beginning of the Reagan Revolution, a revolution in American politics which illustrated the massive change away from liberalism in America. First, this rise in conservatism was caused by the rise of Evangelical Christians…

Words 1585 - Pages 7

History of the Civil War Essay

after the Civil War? Consider the economic, political, and social conditions of the South during Reconstruction? Also, consider how the position of African Americans in the South changed or stayed the same during this period. The South before the Civil War was an open land, with an economy based around the top down agricultural industry. During the pre-war era, the south had been at the mercy of socio-political and economic legislation that the north had been pushing through and the Civil War marked…

Words 2519 - Pages 11