Slide 1

6.3 The Gilded Age Slide 2 I. Social Darwinism A.Period in U.S. History from about 1870-1900 was known as the Gilded Age 1.Covered with gold on the outside but made of cheaper material on the inside 2.Defining characteristics include industrialization, urbanization, & new technologies 3.Problems included crime, pollution, growing disparities between the rich & poor Slide 3 I. Social Darwinism B.One of the strongest beliefs in the era was the idea of individualism 1.No matter what your background, you can work hard to be successful 2.From rags to riches Robert was very different. He inherited from his father an unusual amount of courage, and self-reliance, and if one avenue was closed to him, he at once set out to find another. It is of this class that successful men are made, and we have hopes that Robert will develop into a prosperous and successful man. - from Horatio Alger, Brave & Bold Slide 4 I. Social Darwinism C.Idea of Social Darwinism strongly reinforced individualism 1.Based on Charles Darwins theory of evolution 2.Survival of the fittest 3.Herbert Spencer believed human society evolved through competition & natural selection; society progressed because the fittest people survived Slide 5 I. Social Darwinism D.Critics claimed the widening gap between rich & poor was making society worse, not better 1.They believed success comes when people cooperate, not compete 2.Naturalists claimed that some struggle to be successful due to circumstances beyond their control Slide 6 I. Social Darwinism E.Andrew Carnegie promoted the Gospel of Wealth 1.Wealthy Americans should engage in philanthropy & use their great fortunes to create that would help people help themselves 2.Funded schools, libraries, museums, etc. Slide 7 II. Helping the Urban Poor A.Social Gospel Movement focused on biblical ideas of charity & justice 1.Caused churches to take on community functions like providing social programs & child care B.Salvation Army 1.Offered practical aid & religious counseling to the poor C.YMCA tried to help workers & the urban poor through various opportunities including Bible studies, citizenship training, gyms, libraries, hotels, etc. D.Settlement House Movement 1.Community centers in immigrant neighborhoods that offered schools, medical care, child care, job training, etc. 2.Run by women, including Jane Addams