Identify The One Event Introduced In The Civil War Er 601858

Identify The One Event Introduced In This Post Civil War Era That You

Identify the one event introduced in this post-Civil War era that you feel best represents Twain’s imagery of the “Gilded Age.” Explain your reasoning for this selection. The essay should focus on, but not be limited to the following: · Events surrounding the Native American assimilation efforts, specifically the Dawes Act. · Allude to how opportunities in mining and trade out West impacted values during the Gilded Age, or were impacted by values of the Gilded Age. · Examine the values that you learned within this unit regarding the Gilded Age, and evaluate how they impacted, or were impacted by, Manifest Destiny. Your response should be a minimum of 2 pages but no more than 3 pages in length, APA format.

Paper For Above instruction

The Gilded Age, a period characterized by rapid economic growth, political corruption, and societal transformation in the United States, offers a complex landscape of events that embody the era’s contrasting realities. Among these events, the passage and implementation of the Dawes Act of 1887 stand out as quintessentially representative of Charles Twain’s imagery of the “Gilded Age,” embodying both the outward prosperity and the underlying societal injustices of the period. This essay explores how the Dawes Act exemplifies this duality, the influence of Western economic opportunities, and the interplay with Manifest Destiny, situating these elements within the broader values of the era.

The Dawes Act, formally known as the General Allotment Act, was enacted with the intent of assimilating Native Americans into mainstream American society by dividing tribal lands into individual allotments. This policy aimed to eradicate Native cultures and integrate Indigenous peoples as farmers and landowners within a Western-centric framework. Twain’s depiction of the Gilded Age as a facade of progress, underlying greed and exploitation, aligns with the oppressive nature of the Dawes Act. On the surface, it promised “civilization” and development, but beneath was the significant dispossession of Native lands—an act driven by greed for land and resources by American settlers and entrepreneurs. The transfer of land from Native tribes to individual owners ultimately led to the loss of tribal identities and sovereignty, revealing the darker side of the era’s prosperity.

Furthermore, the opportunities presented by mineral wealth and trading routes in the West significantly impacted the societal values during the Gilded Age. The Yukon Gold Rush and the rapid expansion of the transcontinental railroads exemplify how economic ventures—spurred by the availability of wealth—redefined notions of success and opportunity. These pursuits epitomized the American Dream during this period, emphasizing individualism, enterprise, and material gain. However, Twain’s imagery also encapsulates the greed, corruption, and moral decay associated with these pursuits. The glittering prospects of wealth often masked the exploitation of labor, environmental degradation, and social inequality that defined the Gilded Age economy, reflecting Twain’s critique of the era’s superficial prosperity.

The values cultivated during the Gilded Age were deeply intertwined with Manifest Destiny’s ideology of continental expansion. This belief in divine destiny to spread across North America justified territorial acquisitions, Native American removal, and economic exploitation. The Dawes Act aligned with Manifest Destiny’s expansionist aims by facilitating the redistribution of Native lands, paving the way for white settlement and economic development. Conversely, the era’s values of individualism and economic self-interest also challenged the ideals of communal Native cultures, highlighting a shift towards a more materialistic and aggressive national identity. Twain’s imagery of the “Gilded Age” as a shining but corrupt surface resonates with how Manifest Destiny’s expansion ultimately contributed to societal inequalities and environmental alterations, often disregarding Indigenous rights and ecological sustainability.

In conclusion, the Dawes Act embodies the quintessential imagery of Twain’s “Gilded Age”: a facade of progress masking profound social dislocation and exploitation. Coupled with the economic opportunities in the West and the expansionist zeal of Manifest Destiny, these events collectively illustrate the era’s complex values—driven by greed and innovation but also marred by Social injustice and cultural erasure. Understanding these interconnected developments enriches our comprehension of how the Gilded Age shaped modern America, reflecting both its glittering achievements and its darker consequences.

References

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