Rapid Industrialization: The Gilded Age

After the Civil War and the Reconstruction era, rapid industrialization occured in the United States. This rapid industrialization, often referred to as the Gilded Age, was due to the discovery of extensive amounts of natural resources (coal, iron ore, copper, lead, timber, oil), a growing population of American families and immigrants, an abundant labor supply, an advanced transportation network, and the development of new technology, which all had a huge effect on American society. The Gilded Age led to the rise of industrial capitalism, and was characterized by corruption. Between 1865 and 1898, rapid industrialization shaped the political, social, and economic development of the US to a great extent. It profoundly impacted and reshaped

As cities became areas of economic growth, they attracted immigrants from all over the world. Many immigrants moved to escape poverty, overcrowding in their home countries and religious persecution. In fact, in the last half of the 19th century, some 16.2 million immigrants moved to the United States. Immigrants completely changed American culture, adding diversity and blending in their own culture. Urban neighborhoods began emerging as a result, as immigrants would reside with other people from their culture, creating communities of similar ethnicities, races and classes. These neighborhoods still prevail to this day. Urbanization also occurred, as a growing number of Americans moved to cities to find employment. Further, as the industrial workforce expanded, and as more and more labor was needed to keep up with the huge demand of goods, women and even children began working in factories as well. In order for working-class families to survive in society and be able to sustain themselves, they had to send women and children to work, relying on the additional income. Working conditions were so bad, unfair, and even sometimes dangerous that there were often labor strikes, and workers often joined labor unions to protect and further their rights and interests. They would confront their business leaders to try to get better wages and working conditions. All of these social developments, that had previously been unheard of, became the norm in most industrial cities in the United States and greatly impacted society and the way of American