The Gilded age was a period for America between 1870 and 1900 where the country began to rebuild itself, between the Civil War and World War I. Although the nation seemed to be putting itself together in great fashion outwardly, a lot of corruption was taking place. This corruption in my opinion is partially the reason why our country today is so corrupt. It was built in corruption and further sustained by it. As stated by McWilliams XIV chapter which is entitled, “The Gilded Age”, “The political ideas most Americans had inherited failed as guides, and too little new theory developed to modify the liberal creed”.
McWilliams in that statement shows his opinion on how America was set in its ways, and hadn’t showed much efforts into changing that. With that being said, we can see proof in his views by observing congress today. America is guilty of congressional district gerrymandering. District boundaries are continuously redrawn by political parties to gain an advantage. Corrupt politicians use compactness of districts to redraw lines and give the opposing side a small number of safe seats, while drawing themselves larger number of seats, that may not be all that safe, so they can sit comfortably in knowing they will have succeeded.
Although the Gilded age did bring about financial wealth and a sort of, “bounce back”, from a poor economy, new industrial and financial leaders were more ruthless and less cautious. Actions truly speaks louder than words, and the actions of these new leaders were apparent. They asked for a government that is more active instead of passive. They are supposedly known as noble men, making the country indivisible, yet segregation hadn’t officially been dismissed until 1964, so what really have they made indivisible? Possibly this is in reference to where the power lies. In those that want to return to the colonists ways and stay above the rest of the people, they want to always have the power, and never be separated from it?
McWilliams in that statement shows his opinion on how America was set in its ways, and hadn’t showed much efforts into changing that. With that being said, we can see proof in his views by observing congress today. America is guilty of congressional district gerrymandering. District boundaries are continuously redrawn by political parties to gain an advantage. Corrupt politicians use compactness of districts to redraw lines and give the opposing side a small number of safe seats, while drawing themselves larger number of seats, that may not be all that safe, so they can sit comfortably in knowing they will have succeeded.
Although the Gilded age did bring about financial wealth and a sort of, “bounce back”, from a poor economy, new industrial and financial leaders were more ruthless and less cautious. Actions truly speaks louder than words, and the actions of these new leaders were apparent. They asked for a government that is more active instead of passive. They are supposedly known as noble men, making the country indivisible, yet segregation hadn’t officially been dismissed until 1964, so what really have they made indivisible? Possibly this is in reference to where the power lies. In those that want to return to the colonists ways and stay above the rest of the people, they want to always have the power, and never be separated from it?
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