Discussion: Gilded and Progressive Ages, WWI, and Great Depression

What were the Major Changes of the Gilded Age, and how did that Affect the United States Economy? Discuss both the Positive and Negative Changes.

Rapid economic and industrial growth, increased political participation, implementation of social reforms, and justification of wealth disparity were among the Gilded Age's significant changes. As a period of Reconstruction, Bartels (2018) explained that it resulted in extensive economic expansion, specifically in the West and North. American companies offered their skilled work teams much higher wages than those in Europe, resulting in an influx of European immigrants. During this time, not only did politics experience corruption, but it also augmented public participation. For instance, political parties reached new heights, strengthening the fight for social and economic equity. Another change that characterized the Gilded Age were social reforms, such as civil service alterations, prohibition, workplace improvements, and women's suffrage. Social reforms resulted in an increased women involvement in politics and the economy, both as end-users and service providers. Finally, the Gilded Age influenced social thought, resulting in the descriptions and validation for the increasing wealth inequality among the American populous. Apart from the notable positive effects, the Gilded Age had its negative...