The Gilded Age and American Industrialization

After the Civil War, while the South was being physically and politically reconstructed, the North was being industrialized. In 1890, the frontier was closed when the Native Americans were displaced; they were finally defeated in the Battle of Wounded Knee (South Dakota). In 1893, the Columbian Exposition took place.

The Closing of the Frontier

The closing of the frontier had a psychological effect because it put an end to the national epic conquest of the West. On the one hand, it created a sense of being self-contained, meaning they couldn’t easily start from scratch as before. On the other hand, it brought the satisfaction of having defeated the wilderness.

Expansion and the Transcontinental Railroad

Connected with that were two events that had a huge impact on the country: in 1898, they took over Hawaii, and in 1898, after the Spanish-American War, they acquired Cuba and the Philippines. Another huge transformation in the country took place in 1869 when the transcontinental railroad was completed.

How the Railroad Helped Industrialize the Country

• The country was bound together regarding the economy.
• Massive immigration: It was easier for people to move across the country.
• It meant that significant federal government money was invested in the form of subsidies (it wasn’t a public project).

Buffalo Bill and the Promotion of the West

One famous figure in the promotion of the West was Buffalo Bill, who was famous for his circus. Before that, he was the first buffalo hunter; he fed the railroad workers and helped to eliminate those creatures, which had the indirect effect of displacing the Native Americans who relied on hunting them.

Big Business and the Gospel of Wealth

Railroad companies were given many federal government land concessions. The best lines in the West were occupied by railroad companies, which had significant capital that they invested in building more railroads and industry.

The Rise of Big Business

The transformation into an industrialized country was favored by the Civil War, bringing new attitudes and expectations from Americans, new governmental policies, and business practices. Besides, there were technological improvements adapted to industry.

• Mass production: Catering for mass markets, mainly the “home empire.”
• Cheap labor force: Due to the massive arrival of immigrants and the growth of cities.
• Congressional government: Laissez-faire policies led to unregulated business.

Social Darwinism and the New Credo

A new credo emerged based upon Social Darwinism: the transcendentalist “man” became the “economic man.” Democracy was identified with capitalism, liberty with property, equality with the opportunity to gain, and progress with the accumulation of wealth.

Plutocrats were seen to “deserve” their new leading role because, unlike politicians, they were considered the result of a process of “natural selection.”