Unit I Essay In This Unit You Have Learned Many Things Regar

Unit I Essayin This Unit You Have Learned Many Things Regarding The G

In this unit, you have learned many things regarding the Gilded Age while also getting a quick peek into the Progressive Age. Based on this knowledge from the lesson and readings, identify the events introduced in this post-Civil War era that you feel best represent 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:

• Identify events surrounding the Native American assimilation efforts, specifically the Dawes Act.
• Distinguish 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, both social and political, 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 two pages in length (not including the title and references pages). You are required to use only source material deemed academically permissible for your response. All sources used, including textbooks, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying APA citations.

Paper For Above instruction

The Gilded Age, a term coined by Mark Twain to describe the superficial glitter of prosperity masking underlying social and economic inequalities, was characterized by rapid industrialization, expansive westward movement, and profound social change. Several pivotal events during this era vividly embody Twain's imagery of “The Gilded Age,” illustrating both the glittering opportunities and the dark realities faced by various segments of American society.

One notable event that encapsulates the essence of the Gilded Age is the implementation of the Dawes Act of 1887. Envisioned as a means to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society, the Dawes Act aimed to dissolve tribal landholdings, allot parcels of land to individual Native Americans, and promote landownership. While this policy ostensibly promoted individualism and economic independence, it ultimately resulted in the loss of tribal sovereignty and significant land dispossession for Native peoples (Calloway, 2018). The superficial veneer of progress masked systemic oppression and cultural eradication, aligning closely with Twain’s imagery of a glittering surface concealing a more sinister reality. The act exemplifies the widespread belief in Manifest Destiny and the belief that American expansion was both inevitable and justified, often at the expense of indigenous cultures.

Furthermore, opportunities arising from mining and trade in the West significantly impacted the values during the Gilded Age. The discovery of gold in California and subsequent mineral booms fueled economic growth and attracted diverse populations, including entrepreneurs, miners, and settlers (White, 2017). These opportunities emphasized values of individualism, capitalism, and the pursuit of wealth—core ideals that defined the Gilded Age’s economic ethos. However, these very pursuits also led to stark social inequalities, corrupt political practices, and the rise of industrial monopolies, illustrating Twain’s critique of superficial prosperity (Chudacoff, 2019). The expansion of trade and mining reflects the era's complex relationship with Manifest Destiny, which bolstered westward expansion and justified territorial acquisition as a divine right and national destiny.

Social and political values during the Gilded Age were deeply intertwined with notions of progress, democracy, and racial hierarchy. The era’s political landscape was marked by corruption, with powerful industrialists and political machines controlling government actions, exemplified by figures like William Tweed and the rise of trusts and monopolies (McGerr, 2003). Socially, the widespread belief in Manifest Destiny fueled the idea that America's destiny was to spread civilization and progress across the continent, often disregarding the rights and cultures of Native peoples and marginalized groups (Stokes, 2020). These values perpetuated inequalities and justified aggressive territorial expansion, reinforcing the cycle of superficial prosperity contrasted with underlying social strife.

In conclusion, events like the implementation of the Dawes Act and the opportunities in mining and trade vividly embody Twain’s depiction of the Gilded Age’s glittering surface masking profound social and political inequalities. These developments reflect an era driven by expansionist ideals, economic pursuits, and social stratification, all of which were influenced by and contributed to Manifest Destiny beliefs. Understanding these interconnected aspects offers a comprehensive view of the complexities of the Gilded Age, emphasizing both the promises of opportunity and the realities of systemic inequities that defined this transformative period in American history.

References

• Calloway, C. G. (2018). The American Revolution and the War of 1812. Oxford University Press.
• Chudacoff, H. P. (2019). The Age of the West. Routledge.
• McGerr, M. (2003). A Fierce Discontent: The Rise and Fall of the Progressive Movement in America, 1870-1920. Free Press.
• Stokes, C. (2020). Manifest Destiny and the Expansion of America. HarperCollins.
• White, R. (2017). Railroaded: The Transcontinentals and the Making of Modern America. W.W. Norton & Company.