Gilded Age Essay

The Gilded Age From about the 1870’s to the early 1900’s the United States was marked by a period of unparalleled growth. The population grew at unprecedented rates due to immigrants constantly arriving at the American border (Visions of America, 500). These immigrants were drawn to the booming cities that sprung up as a result of the Industrial Revolution. These cities, which included New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia, seemed to offer the opportunity for economic improvement. This belief drove millions of people from Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia to make the journey to America (Visions of America, 500). These immigrants later played a key role in the urbanization of the United States.
Urban life attracted people from both …show more content…
Hofstadter clearly addresses the concern with the title, “Spoilsmen: An Age of Cynicism.” Hofstadter is able to convey a powerful message through the title: his belief that most people in this age were strictly driven by personal interest and nothing else. The idea that people were entirely lacking any sense of morale (accepting bribes and having no concern for others) and that they were willing to nonchalantly turn their backs on one of the most fundamental American principles: …show more content…
It was full of glamour and wealth for some, but for the majority was characterized by crime, poverty, disease, and tremendous misery. It was a painful era of growth for the United States that was often marked by injustice and bribery (Hofstadter, 220-221), but many, like Hofstadter, chose to pay close attention to the lack of honesty among the politicians and businessmen of the time. Hofstadter discussed issues that others would prefer to ignore, but he realized that although it may be painful to highlight the extent of the mistakes and corruption of one’s own country, it is essential in order to build a better country for