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36. The Gilded Age

Railroads, Rockefeller, Carnegie and Morgan, the new attitudes toward wealth, and the politics that accommodated them.

36. The Gilded Age

Roadside AmericaThe Golden Spike: Does it really symbolize the completion of the transcontinental railroad? From the ashes of the American Civil War sprung an…

36a. Binding the Nation by Rail

The transcontinental railway was completed with a jubilant celebration on May 10, 1869, when the rails connecting the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroa…

36b. The New Tycoons: John D. Rockefeller

"What a Funny Little Government!" Cartoonist Horace Taylor pokes fun at John D. Rockefeller in this cartoon which appeared in The Verdict, a partisan magazine…

36c. The New Tycoons: Andrew Carnegie

By the time he died in 1919, Carnegie had given away $350,695,653. At his death, the last $30,000,000 was likewise given away to foundations, charities and to…

36d. The New Tycoons: J. Pierpont Morgan

J.P. Morgan invested in everything from Thomas Edison's electric company to railroads and steel companies to insurance firms. Child of Privilege Not all of the…

36e. New Attitudes Toward Wealth

Social Darwinism fueled the popularity of "Friendly visitors" in the field of social work. These upper class women believed it was their Christian duty to help…

36f. Politics of the Gilded Age

Impeachment trial ticket The Gilded Age will be remembered for the accomplishments of thousands of American thinkers, inventors, entrepreneurs, writers, and pr…