The gilded age was a time of trusts monopolies, abuse of workers, and unregulated business. It continued long enough that the attempts to fix the problem lead to the progressive era. The word “gilded” refers to a very thing layer of gold hiding poor metal. The corruptions in the gilded age such as the tweed ring lead to the progressivism which leads to the progressive era. The companies had unsafe amounts of power (Standard Oil Co.). Were able to form monopolies and encourage child labor. A solution to this was the Keating-Owen child labor Act. This act put a stop to child labor and satisfied a part of the progressivism. They controlled the lives of immigrants’ trusts. Trusts are large businesses that can form monopolies and rule the country
