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Unit 6

6.10 Development of the Middle Class

7 min read•june 18, 2024

Ashley Rossi

Riya Patel

AP US History 🇺🇸

454 resources

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Introduction

During the Gilded Age (1865-1898), the United States experienced rapid industrialization and economic growth, leading to the development of a new middle class. This middle class was mainly composed of white-collar workers, small business owners, and professionals, who were able to acquire new consumer goods and services through their increased purchasing power.

The rise of this middle class also led to increased social mobility and the emergence of a new leisure class, who were able to afford new forms of entertainment, such as professional sports and vaudeville shows. Additionally, this period saw the rise of new technologies, such as the telephone and electric lighting, which further improved the standard of living for the middle class.

🎥 Watch: AP US History - Industrialization and Gilded Age

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia

Consumer Culture

The rise of the middle class led to the emergence of a consumer culture, as people started to have more disposable income to spend on goods and services. This new consumer culture was fueled by the growth of department stores, mail-order catalogs, and new forms of advertising, which made it easier for people to purchase new consumer goods.

Additionally, new technologies such as the telephone and electric lighting also contributed to the consumer culture as they made it easier for people to communicate and shop for goods. This period also saw the rise of new forms of entertainment, such as professional sports and vaudeville shows, which further added to the consumer culture. These changes had a significant impact on American society, as people were able to buy new goods and experiences, and enjoy a higher standard of living.

Leisure Time

As people had more disposable income, they were able to afford new forms of entertainment and activities, such as professional sports, vaudeville shows, and amusement parks. Additionally, the rise of new technologies such as the telephone and electric lighting allowed people to spend more time on leisure activities, as they were able to communicate and travel more easily.

The rise of leisure time also led to the development of new forms of leisure activities, such as traveling, reading, and participating in hobbies. This period also saw the rise of new forms of social clubs, such as fraternal organizations, which provided people with opportunities to socialize and engage in leisure activities. This period also saw the rise of a new leisure class, who were able to afford new forms of entertainment and travel, this leisure class had a significant impact on American society as it led to new forms of consumption and ways of life.

Giving Back

Many members of the middle class began to focus on giving back to their communities and helping those in need. This was partly due to the increasing wealth and prosperity of the middle class, which led many people to feel a sense of social responsibility and a desire to help others.

One way in which the middle class gave back during this period was through philanthropy, which involved using their wealth to support charitable causes and organizations. Many wealthy individuals and families established foundations and donated money to various causes, such as education, healthcare, and the arts.

Another way in which the middle class gave back during this period was through volunteerism. Many middle-class individuals and groups became involved in various volunteer organizations and movements, such as settlement houses, which aimed to improve the lives of the poor and working class.

This period also saw the rise of a new form of charity, the "scientific charity", which focused on addressing the root causes of poverty, instead of just providing temporary relief. This new form of charity was based on the principles of efficiency and accountability, and aimed to provide long-term solutions to social problems.

Gospel of Wealth

The "Gospel of Wealth" is a term used to describe the belief held by some wealthy individuals during the Gilded Age (1865-1898) that they had a moral obligation to use their wealth for the greater good. This belief was popularized by Andrew Carnegie, a wealthy industrialist and philanthropist, who wrote an influential essay in 1889 called "The Gospel of Wealth." In this essay, Carnegie argued that the rich had a duty to use their wealth to benefit society and help the less fortunate, rather than simply hoarding their wealth.

Carnegie believed that the wealthy had a duty to use their wealth to create a more just and equitable society, and that they should use their wealth to support charitable causes and organizations. He advocated for the establishment of foundations and trusts that would provide long-term funding for charitable causes.

The Gospel of Wealth also emphasized on the importance of "scientific charity" which focused on addressing the root causes of poverty, instead of just providing temporary relief. It also advocated for the establishment of charitable trusts that would provide long-term funding for charitable causes and organizations.

The Gospel of Wealth had a significant impact on American philanthropy during the Gilded Age and beyond, inspiring many wealthy individuals to use their wealth for the greater good. It also helped to shift the perception of wealthy people from the stereotype of the "robber baron" to that of a responsible, socially-conscious member of society.

Gender and Class

Managerial Positions Held

During the Gilded Age (approximately 1870-1900), managerial positions in industry and business became increasingly important as the economy shifted towards large-scale production and corporate organization. The Gilded Age saw the rise of big business, and with it, the need for managers to oversee the operations of these large corporations. These managers, often referred to as "captains of industry," played a crucial role in the growth and success of the Gilded Age economy. They were responsible for making strategic decisions, managing large teams, and ensuring the efficient and profitable operation of their businesses.

Women's Roles in the Workforce

Managerial Positions

During the Gilded Age, opportunities for women in managerial positions were limited. Women were largely excluded from formal education and professional training, and societal norms and discrimination made it difficult for them to enter and advance in male-dominated fields. However, there were some women who managed to succeed in business and industry, often by starting their own companies or by working their way up the ranks in traditionally female-dominated fields such as textiles and retail.

During the Gilded Age, a few examples of women who were successful in managerial positions include:

Madam C. J. Walker: She was an African American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and political and social activist. She is recorded as the first female self-made millionaire in America. She created a line of hair care products for African American women and built a national sales network.
Lillian Dickson: She was a businesswoman who managed her family's wholesale grocery business, Dickson, Deuel & Co., which was one of the largest wholesale grocery firms in the United States during the Gilded Age. She served as the company's president and treasurer.
Carrie Catt: was an American women's suffrage leader who campaigned for the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which gave women the right to vote in 1920. She was the founder of the League of Women Voters and the National Woman's Party, and served as the president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association.
Mary Elizabeth Garrett: She was an American philanthropist and women's suffrage supporter, who was a driving force behind the founding of Bryn Mawr College in 1885 and Johns Hopkins Medical School in 1893.

These examples were a few of the women who managed to succeed in a time when opportunities for women were limited, and their success laid the foundation for future generations of women in leadership positions.

The number of women working in clerical jobs also began to increase. This was partly due to the growth of the service sector and the rise of new forms of business and commerce, which created new job opportunities for women. Additionally, the increasing availability of education and improved social mobility also contributed to the growing number of women working in clerical jobs.

Clerical Jobs

Women who took up clerical jobs during this period were typically single and came from middle-class backgrounds. They were mostly working as stenographers, typists, and bookkeepers. They were often paid less than men for doing the same work and were not considered for promotion as easily. They were also subjected to discrimination and harassment in their workplaces. This period also saw the rise of the "New Woman" movement, which advocated for greater opportunities and rights for women in the workplace and society. This movement helped to challenge traditional gender roles and stereotypes and paved the way for greater equality for women in the workplace.

Overall, the Gilded Age saw a growing number of women working in clerical jobs, as new job opportunities and improved social mobility allowed more women to enter the workforce. However, women still faced significant barriers in the workplace, including discrimination and harassment, and were paid less than men for doing the same work.

🎥 Watch: AP US History - Period 6 Review

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