Development of the Middle Class [APUSH Review Unit 6 Topic 10] Period 6: 1865-1898

Overview

• Content Source: Heimler's History YouTube channel
• Focus: Development of the middle class in America during the Gilded Age
• Period: 1865-1898 (Post-Civil War Era)

Key Concepts and Developments

Industrial Expansion and Hierarchical Changes

• Industrial Growth: Rapid expansion of industry during the Gilded Age.
• Corporate Structure:
  • Introduction of a three-tier system in businesses:
    • Executives: Top-level decision-makers.
    • Managers: Middle-level managers responsible for operational tasks.
    • Laborers: Entry-level workers.

Rise of the Middle Class

• White-Collar Jobs: Emergence of new administrative and supportive roles, especially in middle management.
• Workforce Changes:
  • Rise in jobs such as accountants, legal services, and clerical positions.
  • Women gaining more opportunities, especially in clerical roles, aided by the typewriter.

Leisure Time and Activities

• Reduced Work Hours: Middle class experienced shorter workdays, leading to leisure time.
• Recreational Activities:
  • Spectator Sports: Rise in popularity among the middle class.
  • Amusement Parks: Development of venues like Coney Island.
  • Circuses and Theaters: Became popular leisure destinations.

Philanthropy and Social Mobility

• Gospel of Wealth: Andrew Carnegie's influential essay encouraging the rich to use their wealth for societal benefits.
  • Carnegie's approach focused on creating opportunities rather than direct handouts.
• Notable Philanthropists:
  • Andrew Carnegie: Invested in public libraries and educational initiatives.
  • Phoebe Apperson Hearst: Supported educational institutions for equal access across classes.

Impact and Legacy

• Social Mobility: Institutions and opportunities provided by philanthropists allowed for potential upward movement into the middle class.
• Cultural Influence: The middle class contributed to a growing leisure culture, impacting American cultural and social landscapes.

Critical Perspectives

• Labor Issues: Criticism of Andrew Carnegie for harsh labor practices.
  • Homestead Strike: Highlighted the tension between labor rights and industrialists’ practices.
• Union Suppression: Carnegie's involvement in union-breaking activities through the use of Pinkertons.