The Reconstruction Era and The Gilded Age

The United States of America is a glorified nation that is fundamentally symbolized by its history. The Reconstruction Era and the Gilded Age were such historical revolutionary movements that *has impacted and has comprehensively* shaped the nation into the most powerful nation as of today. However, when compared, Reconstruction, although focused on repairing the nation itself, the shift has proven to be a failure. The Gilded Age on the other hand overcame its obstacles and signified the modern era, therefore I believe the outcome of the Gilded Age is far more of an impact.

The era of Reconstruction was a crucial period in the history of the United States consisting of many different forms of political movements operated by individuals from both the Confederates and the Unions. Though, Reconstruction had many sustains, it however, failed miserably. One of which was the creation of the Ku Klux Klan, the KKK. Established by a group of former confederate veterans dedicated their focus against African Americans and whites that participated and supported the Radical Reconstruction in the South. In addition to the organization built to legally eliminate those with the Radical Reconstruction, African Americans were also subjected to the Black Codes under the Jim Crow Laws. Such codes indicated how they (African Americans) should live, and where. The Black Code demonstrated that the South had complete legal control and power over African Americans. With little economic power, people of color were left to rot, and thus the original goals formulated at the start of the era, left, leaving traces of unaccomplished and failed movement*.

The Gilded Age refers to the chapter after the era of Reconstruction in which it is viewed as the time when America’s economy grew the most. The birth of industries, enterprises that initiated opportunities for individuals with ambitious goals. The sincere competition in the market allowed prices of goods and products to drop which was very beneficial for the consumers. Such social transformation improved the standard of living for many as the average capita of all Americans had a 20% increase in wage, but not everyone. During those years, the continuous disparity between the rich and the poor widened enormously. The working class had to do something in order for them to compete for basic survival needs while those with financial stability lived life lavishly. Although, the Gilded Age consisted of many strikes and violence in the workforce, by the end of the period, as a nation itself, economically emerged at the top of the world and soon to become the next dominant force in the world.

The Reconstruction era was a success with restoring the United States, but with exceptions. The Gilded Age, … , but contributed and impacted more in the development of the nation as a whole. The successes and the failures of the two eras cannot be compared, although, I believe without the Gilded Age, the United States of America would not have been a major power.