Gilded Age Ideologies Summary

Learning Targets

  • Explain doctrines justifying late 1800s social/economic conditions.

  • Outline critiques of these doctrines.

Historical Reasoning Focus

  • Causation

Thematic Focus

  • Politics and Power

  • Social Structures

Key Ideologies

  • Laissez-Faire Economics: Advocates believed in minimal government intervention, promoting self-regulation of the marketplace.

  • Social Darwinism: Applied Darwin’s ideas to society, justifying economic inequality, imperialism, and opposing government regulation.

Proponents of the Status Quo

  • Industrialists equated wealth with personal merit, viewing competition as essential for economic health.

  • Andrew Carnegie's "Gospel of Wealth": Emphasized philanthropy for public good, distinguishing charity from philanthropy.

  • Capitalists supported government aid when beneficial for business but opposed regulations that hindered profits.

Critiques of Laissez-Faire

  • Critics, including Lester Frank Ward and Richard T. Ely, argued for government intervention to protect citizens and maintain balance between capital and labor.

  • Henry George: Critic of wealth accumulation; proposed a single tax on land.

  • Edward Bellamy: Advocated for government takeover of monopolies to promote equal wealth distribution.

  • Critics sought reforms rather than radical socialism, opposing Marxism and advocating collaborative solutions.

Carnegie's Philosophy

  • Argued that the wealthy should use their resources to support community needs and education.

  • Promoted libraries and parks as means to create opportunities for self-improvement.

Attitude Towards Wealthy Industrialists

  • Emergent literature, like "A Workingman's Prayer," criticized industrialists and highlighted stark contrasts in wealth and working conditions.