Gilded Age Society: Class Structure, Immigrants, and Urban Challenges

What did Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner mean by the term 'Gilded Age'?

They described post-Civil War America as having a glittering surface of wealth and prosperity, while corruption and greed lurked beneath.

What percentage of the U.S. population was considered the upper class in 1900?

12% of the population.

What income level defined the upper class in 1900?

Families earning over $5,000 per year.

How much would $5,000 in 1900 be equivalent to in 2025?

$192,290.48.

What was the wealth distribution of the top 1% in 1900?

The top 1% earned more than the aggregate income of the poorest 50% and controlled more capital than the other 99%.

What was the income range for the middle class in 1900?

$500 to $5,000 per year.

What percentage of the population did the middle class represent in 1900?

44% of the population.

What was the wealth ownership of the middle class in 1900?

They owned 12.5% of the nation's wealth.

What was the wealth ownership of the poor in 1900?

They owned 1.5% of the nation's wealth.

What concept did Thorstein Veblen introduce to describe the spending habits of the wealthy?

Conspicuous Consumption.

What was the significance of the Breakers mansion?

It represented the opulence of the wealthy, costing over $461 million in 2025 dollars.

What leisure activities were popular among the middle class during the Gilded Age?

Golf, lawn tennis, and bicycling.

What societal concern did the rise of female bicyclists in the 1890s provoke?

Concerns about morality and decency due to women wearing shorter dresses.

Who was Anthony Comstock and what was his role during the Gilded Age?

He was a moral reformer associated with the Comstock Law, which aimed to regulate morality.

What was the trend in immigration during the Gilded Age?

It was the greatest migration in human history, with millions moving to the U.S. from 1859 to 1920.

What were the living conditions like in tenement districts?

They were overcrowded, dirty, and disease-ridden, often housing large numbers of immigrants.

What were some urban problems faced during the Gilded Age?

Overcrowding, dirty water, sewage issues, garbage, health and sanitation concerns, and crime.

What were some solutions to urban problems during the Gilded Age?

Technological advancements like paved streets, garbage removal, water works, sewage treatment, and professional police.

What political structure emerged in urban areas during the Gilded Age?

Urban political machines, often led by a 'boss' and supported by ward heelers and precinct captains.

What economic theories were prevalent during the Gilded Age?

Laissez-faire economics and Social Darwinism, emphasizing minimal government interference and competition.

What did Herbert Spencer contribute to the ideology of the Gilded Age?

He popularized the idea of 'survival of the fittest' as a justification for social inequality.