Controversies Over the Role of Government in the Gilded Age

APUSH Review 6.12 - Period 6: 1865-1898

Introduction

• The Gilded Age (1865-1898) was marked by rapid economic growth, especially in the North and West.
• The period is characterized by the expansion of industry and railroads, leading to a large increase in the economic scale.
• There were significant controversies regarding the role of government in the economy and society.

Laissez-faire Policies

• Definition: A policy or attitude of letting things take their own course without interfering.
• During the Gilded Age, many industrialists and their governmental supporters advocated for laissez-faire policies.
  • Believed government should not regulate the economy, even during economic crises like the Panic of 1893.
• These policies allowed for rapid industrial growth but also led to exploitation and poor labor conditions.

Government Regulation

• As the negative impacts of laissez-faire policies became more apparent, calls for government regulation increased.
• Key Issues:
  • Labor laws: Addressing poor working conditions and unfair labor practices.
  • Trusts and monopolies: Government sought to regulate or break up monopolies to promote competition.
• The establishment of regulatory bodies and laws aimed at curbing corporate power and protecting consumers and workers.

Government Diplomacy

• Expansion of U.S. influence abroad was another significant aspect of the period.
• Focus Areas:
  • Securing new markets and natural resources, especially in Asia, the Pacific Rim, and Latin America.
  • This expansion of influence foreshadowed events like the Spanish-American War.

Conclusion

• The period featured a balance between the free market and government intervention.
• The debates during the Gilded Age set the stage for future economic and political reforms.

Additional Resources

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