Changes in the Gilded Age

About the lecture

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.

About the lecturer

Susan Curtis in Emeritus Professor of History and American Studies at Purdue University. She specialises in the History of American culture, religion, and race relations; and is the author of four books - A Consuming Faith:  The Social Gospel and Modern American Culture (1991): Dancing to a Black Man's Tune:  A Life of Scott Joplin (1994); The First Black Actors on the Great White Way (1998); and Colored Memories:  A Biographer's Quest for the Elusive Lester A. Walton (2008).