USA: Gilded Age

A history of American political and economic development from 1877 to 1913.

The United States emerged from Reconstruction to confront profound political and economic challenges between 1877 and 1913. As the nation transitioned from the aftermath of civil war to industrial dominance, political parties grappled with racial inequality while embracing corporate power. The Republican Party abandoned its commitment to Black voting rights to prioritize business interests, while Democrats championed free silver and labor concerns. The rise of massive trusts and the 1896 election between William Jennings Bryan and William McKinley marked a pivotal moment in American politics. As the Progressive movement gained momentum, the nation prepared for the 1912 election that would split the Republican Party and usher in a new era of governance. The struggle between industrial power and democratic ideals defined a nation in transition.