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The Gilded Age : An Analysis Of The Gilded Age

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The term Gilded age comes from Twain and Dudleys book named the Gilded Age. The world Gilded itself means something that is covered in gold but actually has nothing of value underneath. The gilded age was an attempt to fix a broken system after reconstruction had finished, but in reality it was just putting a blanket over the real problem. The gilded age was a good time for the higher ups, those who owned business or were in the government, they were able to benefit at the cost of American workers. Gilded age is a good name for this era because for all the inequalities found in the companies related to intensive labor, including unions and strikes, and the lack of rights for immigrant workers. During the Gilded age many American workers …show more content…

There were 3 significant strikes; the Great Railroad Strike 1877, Homestead Strike 1892, and the Pullman Strike 1894. Each one fighting an unfair inequality against the American citizens and workers. Railroad strike lasted 45 days, causing millions in lost property damage and lost revenue because there was an economic panic around the time to wages being cut. The Homestead strike had to have 300 Pinkerton Guards hired to remove them from Carnegie steal, they were holding a sit in protesting their 80hr work weeks, dangerous conditions, and wages. And last was the Pullman strike in which workers were protesting their wages being cut but still being forced to live in a company town in which the prices of food/housing remained the same. This turned into a nationwide strike and was considered the worst economic panic up to that point. While these companies were doing great things for the US, creating railroads to connect the east and west coast, and their own steel, there were still injustices hiding underneath all the money that the owners and government constantly overlooked. During the Gilded age there was a large influx of people from outside countries coming to the the US in search of a new life. These people were escaping famine, persecution, lack of work, and religions discrimination. The US looked to be an appealing place for they offered jobs with the likelihood of wealth and owning land. But, with all these immigrants coming to the US there were some limitations

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