Entertainment in the Gilded Age - 1450 Words

In the late 1800s, American society began to burst with cultural activity. After the Civil War and the Reconstruction, Americans were eager to return to their normal lifestyles. The period that followed, however, was quite different from what the country was used to. During the war, many pushed hard for a rise in industry, leading to an explosive industrial revolution far beyond what people had expected. Americas business and economy had boomed, and, as the new century approached, many had a new outlook on life. They were eager to escape the dull regiments of both the past Victorian era and the new urban lifestyle. This was easy for the upper and middle classes, both of which were growing due to the rapid increase in industry. It†¦show more content†¦Edison then helped to create a short monopoly in America with the Motion Picture Patents Company. The film industry thrived because of its efficiency--people paid low prices to watch movies, but they brought big business because of their sheer number.4 As Americans watched silent movies, sound-based entertainment also grew. New forms of music such as ragtime and the cakewalk were all the rage, and some people, such as Rudolph Wulitzer, knew how to take advantage of Americas new taste for music. Wulitzer was a German immigrant who found moderate success in importing musical instruments from his home country. In the 1890s, however, he changed his focus to musical machines. He invented the first coin-operated electric organ, and soon after, self-playing harps and pianos. He sold them to hotels and restaurants that could not afford live musicians and he made quite a lot of money. When he turned his company over to his sons, they developed a pipe organ that filled movie theaters with sound. They would later develop the jukebox and make a fortune in the 1930s, after the Gilded Age was over. But it was during this era that the Wurlitzer Company got its start.5 Although music, movies and shows were very prominent and quite marketable, some Americans had a taste for more adventurous recreation. With the higher incomes and affordable transportation of the Gilded Age, men and women flocked to amusementShow MoreRelatedReconstruction Of The Civil War1365 Words   |  6 Pagesto keep this going so when slavery was abolished, this frustrated and angered them. These states had left the Union. This led to the American Civil War between the North and South. The Gilded Age was one of the most dynamic periods in the history of America. Mark Twain gave this time period the name Gilded Age. It was during the late 19th century and our country was corrupt underneath. Southern states established laws that deprived African Americans. Laws were passed that would require votersRead MoreGilded Age DBQ901 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿ â€Å"The politics of the Gilded Age failed to deal with the critical social and economic issues of the times.† Assess the validity of this statement. Use both the documents and your knowledge of the United States from 1865 to 1900. Whether or not the politics of the Gilded Age failed in dealing with social and economic issues has long been debated by historians. Peeling away streaks of gold plastered on the deficiencies of the time, the cause of such problems can be unveiled. In finding a blame forRead MoreJohn D. Rockefeller : The Gilded Age Of The Gilded Age741 Words   |  3 PagesFollowing years of reconstruction, the U.S. entered a new age. For this new age, Mark Twain named it after the â€Å"glittering† surface of the time that covered vast corruption underneath. The late 19th century would be called the Gilded Age (Houston). From this Gilded Age, a powerful businessman emerged. John D. 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