The term ‘Gilded Age’ comes from novel by Mark Twain which satirically depicts American society at its worst: corruption, social climbing and questionable political dealings and greed are widely considered some of this period’s defining characteristics. There is a contrast between this ‘Gilded Age’ and the “Golden Age”: instead of being considered a true, worthy, shining period of history (pure gold) it is referred to as gilded, something covered by a thin layer of shininess which hides its true value (a very cheap value) underneath. The Gilded Age presents itself as an age where everything is perfect and wonderful while hiding its true, corrupt and unpleasant nature.
Some rather important events that had a noticeable impact in America’s course and culture happened during the Gilded Age. There were violent conflicts in the western frontier between white settlers and the United States Army against Native Americans. The Native Americans were forced off their land and onto reservations with tragic results. In 1890, the western frontier was closed. By the end of the Gilded Age (1893), the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad and the National Cordage Company failed, this set off the greatest economic depression America had ever experienced.
