Changes in the Gilded Age

US History – Reform in the Gilded Age, 1870-1900

In this course, Professor Susan Curtis (Purdue University) explains how different reform movements responded to the rise of industrial capitalism in the Gilded Age. In the first three modules, we look at this through the lens of the economy - examining the changes that occurred as a result of the industrial revolution, the reasons reform was needed and then what workers did to initiate reform. In the next two modules we explore how the United States changed for women in these years and why reform was needed as a result. After this, we explore why political reform was needed in this era and what reform was passed as a result. Finally we examine the issues of race relations - the area where reform was needed most but where none came.

Changes in the Gilded Age

In this module, we take a look at the changes that occurred in the United States at the end of the 19th century. This was a time of vast economic expansion and innovation. Economic growth and innovation made labour more productive and as result some Americans became richer than ever before. Economic expansion also instigated urbanisation as Americans moved to cities for work. But these advancements masked profound problems in society as not everybody benefited from economic expansion.