America in the Gilded Age: Third Edition

Preface to the First Edition

Preface to the First Edition This book, intende d a s an introduction t o the Gilded Age and Industria l America, offers a general accoun t o f th e industrial an d economic , socia l and politica l histor y o f th e perio d fro m 186 5 t o 1901 . It i s a wor k o f synthesis, drawn fro m recen t scholarshi p an d fro m som e primary sources . It give s prid e o f plac e t o th e amazin g development s i n industry—fo r many people the most original and distinctive feature of the period—an d then describe s the complementary socia l history o f immigration, urbani zation , an d labo r unions . Th e secon d hal f o f th e boo k concentrate s o n the politica l storie s o f Reconstructio n an d part y politic s an d th e ris e of dissent culminating i n the Populist Revolt. It concludes with account s of imperialism an d progressivism a t the turn of the century. The book aim s at a clear, concis e presentation o f essentia l fact s bu t i t does not attemp t to recor d th e histor y o f hig h societ y o r th e comple x an d divers e storie s of educatio n an d religion , art s an d letters . Westward expansio n i s con sidered onl y briefly . Th e boo k i s designe d bot h fo r thos e wh o wan t t o read abou t Reconstructio n an d th e year s t o 187 7 i n genera l an d thos e who, instead , prefe r t o begi n i n 187 6 o r 1877 . It places som e emphasi s on th e lif e storie s an d personalitie s o f th e principa l protagonist s an d includes illustrations . I bega n thi s boo k i n th e sprin g o f 198 1 a t th e suggestio n o f Coli n xvi Preface to the First Edition xvi i Jones, an d I completed i t i n th e fal l o f 198 2 durin g a study-leav e fro m my dutie s a s lecture r i n America n histor y a t Mancheste r Universit y i n England. I thank m y colleagues and especiall y Professors Pete r Marshal l and Denni s Wellan d fo r makin g thi s possible . Durin g fal l semeste r o f 1982 I was the guest of the American Studie s Program a t George Washington University , Washington , D.C . I than k th e director , Professo r Howard Gillette , fo r makin g arrangement s fo r m y visit, an d Professor s Bernard Merge n o f GW U an d Wilcom b Washbur n o f th e Smithsonia n Institution fo r invitin g m e t o teac h i n thei r classes . Professo r Davi d Reimers o f Ne w Yor k Universit y offere d constructiv e advic e o n th e structure an d conten t o f th e book , particularl y o n immigration . Ms . Mary Iso n o f th e Librar y o f Congres s wa s mos t helpfu l i n the selectio n of illustrations. Mrs. Eileen Grimes typed the manuscript . The Electric Tower dominate d th e Pan American Expositio n a t Buffalo i n 1901, widely interpreted a s the culmination o f America's industrial an d imperial prog ress i n th e Gilde d Age . Master y o f th e ne w technolog y o f electricit y mad e i t possible to appl y limitles s energ y i n precise quantities. Journalist Mar k Sulliva n commented ho w "electricit y wa s streakin g u p an d dow n th e country , literall y like lightning—wire s t o provid e i t wit h a pathwa y wer e everywher e bein g ex tended , lik e long nerve...