1. Chapter 15 Urban America
Section 3
The Gilded Age

2. A Changing Culture
1873 – Mark Twain & Charles Warner co-wrote the novel, The Gilded Age.
Term refers to the time b/w 1870 & 1900.
“gilded” – refers to something being gold on the outside while the inside is made of cheaper material.
This was a time of growth, but beneath the surface there was corruption, poverty, and huge class differences.

3. A Changing Culture
Changes in society caused by industrialization & urbanization gave rise to new values, new art, and new forms of entertainment.

4. Individualism Strong belief during this era.
Belief that regardless of your background, you could still rise in society.
Horatio Alger wrote over 100 novels about rags-to-riches stories.

5. Horatio Alger
“No matter how many obstacles you face, success was possible.”

6. Social Darwinism
Herbert Spencer first proposed the idea of Social Darwinism.
He took Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution & natural selection and applied it to society.

7. Social Darwinism
Species that cannot adapt to the environment will die out.
Spencer felt human society evolved through competition.
Industrial leaders agreed with Social Darwinism.
Churches disagreed with Darwinism.
S.D. paralleled laissez-faire – no gov’t interference with business.

8. Gospel of Wealth Andrew Carnegie, believed in S.D. & laissez-faire.
However, he felt those who profited from society should give something back.
This Gospel of Wealth philosophy stated that the wealthy were responsible & should engage in philanthropy, using great fortunes to further social progress.

9. Realism New movement in art and literature.
Portrayed people in realistic situations instead of idealizing them.
Thomas Eakins – observed & painted day-to-day living in realistic fashion. Used realistic detail & precise lighting.

11. Realism in Literature
William Dean Howells, wrote realistically about American life.
Mark Twain, wrote Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in st true American novel.
Henry James, portrayed the lives of the upper class in his 1881 novel, Portrait of a Lady.
Edith Wharton, portrayed the lives of the upper class in New York in the 1870s novel, The Age of Innocence.

12. Popular Culture Popular culture changed in the late 1800s.
People had more money to spend on entertainment & recreation.
People started “going out” for public entertainment.

13. The Saloon
Saloon acted like the community & political center for male workers.
Offered free toilets, water for horses, free newspapers, and free lunches.

14. Amusement Parks
Coney Island – amusement park that attracted working class families & single adults.
Offered amusements such as water slides and railroad rides.

15. Coney Island

16. Coney Island – 1st Coaster

17. Sports Watching sports became popular in the late 1800s.
Baseball appeared in the early 1800s.
1869 the 1st salaried team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, was formed.

18. Vaudeville Early 1880s, vaudeville became popular.
Adapted from the French theater and combined animal acts, acrobats, gymnasts, and dancers.

19. Music Ragtime became popular.
Mix of riverside honky-tonk, saloon pianists, and banjo players, using patterns of African American music.
Scott Joplin – King of Ragtime

20. Scott Joplin

21. Next: Section 4 The Rebirth of Reform
End of Section 3
Next: Section 4
The Rebirth of Reform