The Gilded Age: The ‘High’ Point in America’s History

[@Jagueyes1]

Cartoonists back then were a lot more imaginative than they are today. Well done documentary.

[@nocrtname]

Really tho you’re seeing the top 50 cartoons or so spanning a few decades. I bet there was a lot of junk too but nobody bothered preserving those.

[@chrisjose7107]

Today, it's memes

[@mayechka]

Cartoonists nowadays as good as the past

[@payasoinfeliz]

@@nocrtname nobody ever mentions that. people always talk about how great music or whatever does, when the oldies stations play nothing but the top hits spanning many years.

[@nocrtname]

@@payasoinfeliz Yeap, like this gem from 1980, the disco version of the imperial march. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGibeaOjesmpfdk

[@highjumpstudios2384]

There’s definitely a lot of rich people who still believe in social Darwinism. They’re just not as public about it anymore.

[@elizabethboothe2774]

We live in the new Gilded Age.

[@markgigiel2722]

@@elizabethboothe2774 History repeats. They throw a few bones to the poor and they win for a while, then they get too rich and cocky and we rebel and the pendulum swings back. It REALLY bad now. We are overdue for a revolution. They have us fighting the wrong people though.

[@morewi]

And eugenics

[@highjumpstudios2384]

@@morewi well that's just a given.

[@ChickenMcThiccken]

they're on death beds and in retirement homes. as long as they're still alive. they hold an icy grip on their wealth and power.

[@paulkurilecz4209]

One of the big problems with the monopolies was the relationship between Vanderbilt and Rockefeller. Rockefeller convinced Vanderbilt to give him favorable rates for transporting oil and oil products while at the same time charging Rockefeller's competitors higher rates. The discovery of this lead to the formation of the ICC and the setting of railroad rates by public hearings.

[@mehrshadvr4]

Now the inequality monopoly and corruption is worse than Gilded Age.

[@ixlnxs]

😎 The discovery of this *led* to the formation of the ICC (LEAD is the infinitive, the past participle is LED) 😘

[@stephenheath8465]

The American Market was highly protected at this time

[@garycombs5721]

It would actually be better worded that Vanderbilt gave Rockefeller reduced rates due to Standard Oil's massive volume, while Vanderbilt charged Rockefeller's competitors more standard rates. The ICC wasn't formed due to Rockefeller receiving reduced rates, but rather because Flagler had negotiated with all the railroads that Standard Oil shipped by to give Standard Oil secret rebates on not only what Standard Oil shipped, but rebates on what Standard's competitors shipped as well. Once these secret rebates became public knowledge, it was the direct results of the public's outcry over those secret rebates that brought forth the ICC

[@nealwilliams3255]

The most shocking part of this is that the president actually did something to break up some of the monopolies powers... Good times....

[@highjumpstudios2384]

It’s funny how if you bring these companies up to Anarcho capitalists they’ll say that they wouldn’t have been able to hold a true monopoly over their prospective sectors in the private sector, even though said monopolies showed no signs of being unable to be stopped until the federal government stuck its foot in the sand.

[@jamesricker3997]

It was a very smart move, either the government break them up or there would be risks of socialists taking power end breaking them up

[@fredericrike5974]

Teddy Roosevelt was never intended or expected to be president; he was brought in because he had a reputation as an honest hardworking man, something his soon to be the late President was not known for. Six months in and Teddy becomes The Man. Lotta folks really beat up on him for his "anti mogul" stance. There are four US Presidents so revered as to be sculpted onto a mountain side-Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and TR. None of them ever really wanted the job, but having it thrust upon them became so much more than they began as. FR

[@SetTrippin82]

When we had a semblance of democracy.

[@fredericrike5974]

@@SetTrippin82 Washington became President more due to the acclaim many of the early Representatives had and everyone's clear knowledge the system had to be proven to work- G. Washington was exactly that man, even though there were those who thought he would be a good king. GW made the first Presidential and National Election Cycle play through easily, calmly and without drama. Mr. Lincoln was elected by a Republican Party that had failed to get any of theirs elected POTUS and desperately wanted that power. Too better understand how little "semblance of democracy" existed in Lincoln's WH, look into what he termed his "Cabinet of Rivals".Lincoln's miracle is even greater when you realize his image was what Stanton and the rest wanted- the last thing they needed was a man who thought and had a conscience as POTUS. Mr. Jefferson helped redouble the orderly change of office GW had helped usher in, but also went farther than several of his contemporaries wished him to. His dedication to the cause of national office for two terms personally bankrupted him. He never asked,nor expected, anyone to make good his loss. Another man unlike anything afterwards. And then we come to TR; the most unlikely man to ever become POTUS. The GOP needed a "man of the people", a "straight shooter" to pair with their crony candidate- who died six months later leaving Teddy Roosevelt POTUS- and he took the job and ran with it. Thank Our Lord for Small and Unlikely Favors; it is said that American already had the highest average standard of living in the West- what isn't much said was how great the disparity was between a few incredibly wealthy families and the bulk of Americans. None of the men fixed to Rushmore's side ever truly wanted that job. All rose to it and did, for their nation and people, accomplishing great things for ALL Americans. FR

[@somethingabstractiguess]

American history books, channels, etc. never fail to put a positive spin on or completely ignore the grotesque suffering of millions of poor people, laborers of all ethnicities.

[@hoppeanofasgard1365]

Although the actions of some of these monopolists can't be forgiven I think it must be stated that the workers them selves could have taken on the reasonability to start there own small business at the time rather than continue to work for people who they didn't like. The constant conflict between unions and industry was precisely because workers used violence against capitalist's property just as much as industrialists used violence against them. separation rather than violence and pursuing your own peaceful path is always best and maybe the industrialists would have learned a lesson after all of their workers quitting.

[@gubruikertje]

Progress is almost always built on the suffering of millions. This is how civilization was born in ancient empires, and it still is how the west keeps a high standard of living.

[@slouberiee]

@@gubruikertje I don't see how Europe with high standard of living uses suffering of millions. Who are the millions suffering in Europe? I live here and our social democratic system doesn't allow much of suffering, especially of "millions".

[@gubruikertje]

@@slouberiee well maybe not millions, but Billions. That seems rather excessive IMO. It depends on what you count as suffering. Living in poverty isn't enough, but being take advantage of is. Not sure how many and its not a contest. Just a significant portion of the world.

[@adorabasilwinterpock6035]

@@hoppeanofasgard1365 You are extremely naive, I assume you’re very young.

[@ClarisseRockinThatBow]

We toured Henry Frick house in Pittsburgh (before the family moved to NYC) and spoke to the curator about their lives. She commented that Henry Frick's children, after their father died became highly respected philanthropists and used their inheritance to do good in their community. She figured it may have been out of the guilt about their father's past deeds (the corruption, greed, etc.) that they used his money to make amends. Take that, Dad!

[@JoyFay]

Or they did it for better PR, as they continue the exploitation.

[@andylee7862]

Maybe they were social narcissists

[@solodolotrevino]

We’re in the Gilded Age 2.0

[@Grumpollion]

Present-day monopolies: Google, Facebook, Twitter. All organs of the Democrat party. In localities where the Democrat party takes hold (e.g., San Francisco), economic inequality soars to new heights.

[@jonathanl9229]

@@Grumpollion tell that to the people that live in the Midwest and Rust Belt.

[@bobknull7502]

@@Grumpollion Did the corporate owned Faux news tell you that?. Red states are the poorest states. You would have been on the wrong side then as you are now.

[@kittykittybangbang9367]

@@Grumpollion Why are you forgetting about Republicans?

[@manantial773]

@@Grumpollion You must be brainwashed.

[@midlifeandnailingit6342]

History really does repeat itself. How quickly we forget.

[@brythonbrowning1950]

I mean, I agree to an extent. But what is really happening today? We aren't progressing at all. Except maybe progressing towards not hurting sensitive peoples feelings. I'm not saying on stuff like a law that protects employees hair style and can't be turned down or fired because of that. That's fine, I believe beliefs should be accommodated. Boxers are allowed to wear religious headwear. Why can't you have your hair at your workplace. I mean things like spending 21 million dollars on renaming military bases from confederate generals to historical black people. 61 million if they do all their recommendations. Who does that help? A small number of people who would be upset by seeing that for about 20 minutes until they forget they saw it? Imagine if your high school or your child's high school got 10 million of that. Or just 1 million, that helps both people and the prosperity of the country. What does renaming help? Plus the whole shutting down oil in Alaska only to blame Russia (Not supporting Russia btw) for our rising gas prices. I know Biden needed to keep his "no drilling" promise be he is blatantly lying to us because theres a "Scary Bad Man". We are Gilded because our gold layer is a facade. Life is pretty decent here overall, but everyone here is either actually plain liars, stupid or ignorant. And you can't even blame us being ignorant, where do you even start? It's crazy to think our leaders are lying to us like how children does by pointing at a well known trouble maker and saying "He/she did it". Biden should never have got into office with Dementia, I know his Dementia isn't confirmed, but come on. You and me know he does or something similar. That is a serious illness, I would feel horrible for him if he wasn't leading our country. Being left or right wing is entirely fine, I'm economic left but socially right. It's just the people fighting for office is just horrible. I don't know when this stagnation started, but other superpowers (Which so many desperately claim doesn't exist because "The U.S is the only super power) are passing us. China for one, but that is to be expected, they are corrupt asf and doesn't try to hide it. Sure they hide it but they got actual straight up slaves. Plus racial profiling and all that.

[@brythonbrowning1950]

So like, yeah it repeats but a bit different and with a lot less progress.

[@moegreen5760]

Not even close

[@theamazinggarbage3209]

@@brythonbrowning1950What a info dump, and half of it has nothing to do with the main point.

[@brythonbrowning1950]

@@theamazinggarbage3209 Ima be real idk what I commented, and it probably was super dumb, I apologize, or if I was super right then get owned. I genuinely dunno what I said. I've improved alot over even months. So yeah sorry if i was an idiot

[@gregoryferraro7379]

Ah, the Gilded Age. I guess I should feel lucky to be living through a repeat of history.

[@MrCTruck]

At least we have internet and food in the food stores, could be wayyyy worse

[@retropotatoe]

@@MrCTruck it could be way better if we fixed the wealth gap

[@greggrachen5633]

That's what you got from what's going on? Yawn, get out of that echo chamber and educate yourself.. honestly Once I got educated and moved away from other republicans dominating my town I noticed how brainwashed I was and how brainwashed they were. Education is key 🗝️and you have to do it yourself not listen to what politicians tell you (from both sides) fact check everything you hear!!!

[@rolandrush5172]

@@retropotatoe wrong

[@scotty6124]

Damn straight

[@dbsuperfanboy1315]

You left out the fact that the reason the troops where pulled out of the south was to combat the union movements in the north. Jim Crowe laws where passed to fight unions also.

[@olivercuenca4109]

3:37 When government officials say they prefer a hands-off approach to governance, what they mean is they want to be paid a lot to do nothing. For most people a ‘hands-off approach’ to their work isn’t a legitimised philosophy, it’s just a fast track to being fired.

[@florenmage]

I would like a hands off approach to being a janitor. You know. Like not moping or cleaning and still getting paid. that sounds fair right? XD

[@olivercuenca4109]

@@florenmage Are you one of my housemates? Haha

[@TD-np6ze]

Corruption in today's Government Officials: - a prominent young Senator, when asked why accepts Corporate Kickbacks replies "Cannot survive today's American Politics without funding...." and then claims to "Be able to do more good" for the American People by taking Corporate bribes? USA Legislative Branch currently the House of INSIDER Trading!!! ...and ever since Nixon and KISSINGER -- EVERY Politician Sold Out USA to China

[@zico739]

No one thinks of the Gilded Age in a positive light but the modernization and industrialization is seen as necessary.

[@dtschuor459]

Well, it did increase the basic standard of living for those with little financial means and political agency while also substantially diminishing the physical labor involved in producing goods and services and the essential labor of household management. Absolutely, it was predatory, but the overall result was an increase in quality of the life at the bottom. It’s tragic the disparity and inequity compared to the benefits to the ‘robber barons’ but in part, isn’t that just human nature? If I can’t see the suffering my acts cause, it’s not true. If I do see it, I can minimize my role in it by blaming the victims of my efforts.

[@Pomagranite167]

Meh. I yearn for simpler times. I'm okay with social progress still, but i dont need tech and automation in my life.

[@jamesmcinnis208]

​@dtschuor459 Well said. It seems the higher standard of living was an unintended consequence of the greedy and "successful." In the ensuing years, corporate America has found a way to chip away at that pretty effectively.

[@rayfridley6649]

Talk about strikes. That steel strike was followed within five years of the equally destructive Pullman Palace Car strike.

[@darthplagueis8886]

I bet that the new HBO show has been giving a huge boost to this vid.

[@ploptart4649]

I've been watching American consciousness slowly rekindle with the gutting of the working and middle classes. Hopefully this time we'll take proper advantage of the crisis created by the wealthy's greed and finally give ourselves a life worth working for. We all deserve so much better and we can have it.

[@rockonmadonna]

True, but don’t count on it. The top .2% have the next thirds of country so thoroughly duped into voting against their own economic interests or getting caught up in smoke and mirrors “woke” distraction social issues that a proper 1789-style revolution 2.0 seems impossible. If it comes though, I am willing to die for the cause. America has always been a plutocracy. They put down Shay’s Rebellion right fast in the beginning. We could redo this in a less hypocritical way, however.

[@ChickenMcThiccken]

better bring a bat and some brass knuckles. the older generation and the boomers are willing to die to keep their wealth.

[@rockonmadonna]

@@ChickenMcThiccken oh, I think we're fully expecting a second civil war or revolution at this point. There are not going to allow us the only alternative: extreme campaign finance reform.

[@S489_20mg]

You couldn’t have said it any better.

[@skepsswag]

I thought that a decade ago. I thought occupy wall street, anonymous etc was on to something. Thought julian Assange was onto something. Loose change documentary. The zeitgeist. The horrors of the military industrial complex. The prison complex. Federal reserve. It goes on and on. People get older and they just do what needs to be done to survive. To raise their families. To pay the Bill's. One day it will be bad enough where things get violent. I dont have a lot of faith in the winners of what ever conflict emerges.

[@csm92459]

In the early '80s I was a waiter and bar tender. I was approached by the owner of the restaurant I worked at and asked if I would be interested in picking up some work as the only wait staff for a private party at a different restaurant. My restaurant was "catering" this party in their private dining room, as they didn't serve lunch. We were sending 1 kitchen person to handle/plate the prepared food, I was to bar tend, serve, clear, load their dish machine racks, and clear the dining room. I'd get paid the next day--with guaranteed tip, plus extra if the guests were happy. It was a couple of days out. It seemed a little odd as to why they didn't use their own staff, but nothing to raise red flags. Upon arrival I touched base with the other owner who basically told me that I should be attentive--they were used to good service--but that privacy was very important to them. I was to stay in the room only while actively engaged in service. He told me to open the bar, head count until all 16 arrived and were served, close the bar, leave them alone for 1/2 hour, serve lunch, fill drinks, etc, then leave. Give them 1/2 hour to eat, check in, clear when everyone was done, serve coffee, place a cigar box on a side table, and to check back only as seemed necessary until they left. I was to knock on the door and wait a few seconds before entering. It seemed a bit unusual, but not extreme. No red flags. They were all middle aged men, well dressed, well spoken, polite, in business attire. They stopped talking in specifics when I was in the room, but I heard a few concluding remarks before the speaker would either change the subject or change to pronouns and general terms and themes. ("it may change when that happens"). It was obviously a business lunch. I really didn't think much about it until I stopped by the next day. The owner told me the guests had been very happy with the service and asked if I had recognized any of them. (This was not outlandish given the average income and profile of the area.) I hadn't. He paid me as agreed--with a hefty tip--in cash. He sort of suggested, without actually saying it, that I should just forget that the lunch party had taken place. And that there may be future opportunities for similar events. I was in my early 20s. It was an easy gig with a fat cash payout so I was good. With age and cynicism came the realization that this was a table full of business execs doing something they shouldn't have been, in a place they wouldn't be caught. This was driving distance from NY and Philadelphia--as well as Allentown and Bethlehem--so my guess is something to do with steel or something made with steel. I'll never know for sure. Point is--no matter what the laws--the robber barons still exist, the corruption will always exist--until you take "greed" out of the human condition,

[@Alainesteph]

If my history class was this interesting I would have loved history back then.

[@daniellogan-scott5968]

Just a nit-pick here. Immigration prior to the great wave was from Britain - a country composed of England, Scotland, and Wales. Also, the flag used in the graphic for England is the flag of Britain and not the flag of England. I mention this because many people do not know the difference between Britain and England, as England is the dominant country in Britain. Also, where even today the countries of Britain have retained their individual identities, in America these people lived on the same streets and intermarried to become the true expression of a united British culture that never truly manifested in the United Kingdom.

[@lookoutforchris]

That was the original melting pot. It was a stretch to add Dutch, German, Irish, but still worked. Adding in Southern Europe, the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, Africa, India, China, and the various mixed peoples of the world is what started to break it all. The 1965 immigration act was the beginning of the end for a unified America.

[@daniellogan-scott5968]

@@lookoutforchris I agree about the 1965 immigration act. Your comment made me realise that I forgot the Irish - the other country in the UK. Prior to the 19th century mass Irish immigration, the Irish in historical record were Northern Irish Protestants. These Irish wanted to distinguish themselves from the Catholic Southern Irish and coined the name Scotch-Irish and proved to be one of the most important groups in early America.

[@TheChocolateNick]

Man feels great knowing we’re living in the precursor of the second Gilded Age

[@UjjwalAgarwalIITD]

How is it a precursor? And not already happening?

[@garrettmetting6938]

It's already happening bud

[@z_rock8391]

Oh we in it, it’s actually a precursor to the collapse of everything lmao

[@gwillis01]

I do believe that Teddy Roosevelt was born into a wealthy family but wanted to improve the conditions of life for the average working man. Therefore, he was the first American limousine liberal.

[@henryford2950]

Sure thing.

[@wandererstraining]

There's one mention of the anarchists, but let's add that the Haymarket massacre resulted in several anarchists (mostly innocents) being executed by hanging, and alongside it to the first Red Scare.

[@philmajohnson9150]

Wealth disparity is greater now than it was in the gilded age.

[@hhtravel8942]

Hello my frriend

[@namesurname-1488]

But not the income

[@jimjohn6520]

That is mainly due to communism, not capitalism. Communism is the ultimate lie perpetrated upon the world. It has killed more people than any other ideology. Hundreds of millions exterminated. Just gross.

[@albenmurcia4716]

@@jimjohn6520how is communism to blame. There are only like 4 countries that are communist and 3 are tiny and pretty poor

[@albenmurcia4716]

@@jimjohn6520 compare that to the majority of all other countries being capitalist

[@markjones3778]

The first skyscraper was built in Shrewsbury England this was where the blue print came from . Ditherington Flax Mill (promoted as the Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings), a flax mill located in Ditherington, a suburb of Shrewsbury, England, is the first iron-framed building in the world, and described as "the grandfather of skyscrapers", despite its five-storey height.

[@badgerman2414]

It wasn’t really a sky scrapper. More like a precursor to them. Hence, “Grandfather of Skyscrapers” as opposed to “The First Skyscraper”.

[@brienfoaboutanything9037]

Thats amazing information about Gilded Age: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2HIlouflNp4b7s

[@sharongillesp]

The major resource was NOT industry … the major resource was slave labor. Even though slavery no longer existed the same people were paid little to nothing often times. The same is happening today where minimum wages should be $25 an hr. if income kept pace with the cost of living. In other countries flipping burgers at McDonald’s pays $23 an hr. … not managers … but entry level positions.

[@benharrison6832]

2:07 that is the flag of Britain, not England. They aren't the same thing

[@leedee4968]

I would love to hear right now a great history lesson like this only 100 years forward while we're still living now

[@lianakilgore775]

Great video my daughter is learning about this in school and I have learned I have become a history buff so your video was very informative and I absolutely loved the HBO series the Gilded Age so this gave me a lot more facts surrounding that drama. Your video was easy to understand and was engaging.

[@VTO3000]

history doesn’t repeat itself humanity does

[@Littleathquakes]

what an empty statement lol who do you think makes history?

[@VTO3000]

@@Littleathquakestime makes history we are just beings, victims of time. history doesn’t just start with humanity

[@minanovkiril]

exactly

[@SammiPrince]

Just found your channel last night and I'm hooked ☺️

[@AnosikeImmanuel]

Here from BTT! Great video.

[@jonasalden29201]

most were descended from the English, the Scottish, the Welsh, and West Africa (modern nations specifically unknown to the Black individual)

[@AB-nb2ic]

What does that last part mean? Did you mean "unknown to most African-Americans"? West Africa is mostly inhabited by Black individuals, so any modern nations there would not be unknown to them.

[@InfiniteApollo12]

87% of the US population was white in 1900, African Americans existed of course but tragedy doesn’t make you majority.

[@j2174]

Weren't they many Dutch and Germans in the US as well? And maybe some Norwegians and other Scandinavians? New Amsterdam? Vanderbilt? Rockefeller? Those of Germanic descent are the #1 European ancestry in the US still.

[@AB-nb2ic]

Yup. And Chinese, and plenty of Africans. This video is "off" a bit.

[@j2174]

@@AB-nb2ic There were not that many Chinese or people of African ancestry in comparison to European.

[@rockonmadonna]

75% Scandinavian here by way of Sweden, Britain, the Köln, and Normandie. Those Vikings were the Mongols of Northern Europe, raping their way right through! Both sides came over well before 1776 too. I confess I prefer to live in France though (not Marseilles or Paris… but small-town France). The U.S. has not remotely lived up to its founding vision since at least the Reagan Era.

[@victorgiddens5612]

@@j2174Big ole empty continent, before europeans, bulshïït. You just white wash over Native Americans and Mexicans.

[@j2174]

@@victorgiddens5612 "victor giddens 1 hour ago @J Big ole empty continent, before europeans, bulshïït. You just white wash over Native Americans and Mexicans." -You're that guy eh? -You clearly don't understand context in a conversation or in a response. My response had absolutely nothing to do with nor did I "white wash over Native Americans and Mexicans". Try again. -They weren't called Mexicans before Spaniards (Europeans) came ;) Oh, and I hope you know that the different "AmeriIndians" regularly conquered one and other before any European ever tried. Although yes, there was one nomadic tribe called Mexicas who took over an older culture and 'empire' in the Valley of Mexico sometime after 1200CE. -"Native Americans" is something only used in the US. And the cultures and tribes are very different in Canada vs the US. -The "big ole empty continent" of North America includes Mexico, Canada, US, as well as the "Central American" and Caribbean countries. And Denmark (Greenland) and France (Saint Pierre and Miquelon), if you want to be technical.

[@Nano08888]

Anyone else here because of Grace?🤭🤭❤️❤️

[@RealBadGaming52]

yep, but i dont really want to watch that wokefest she reviewed

[@rc7625]

Fantastic video as always! Keep up the great work!

[@hhtravel8942]

oh yea hi baby

[@shelbynamels973]

That's a good observation about Gilded Age presidents. Most people would be hard-pressed to name just a few of the presidents who held office between the times of Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson in WW I.

[@Rockman902]

THANK You I needed this video to help with my essay

[@Teeeenasty]

“Although corruption, poor working conditions, and prejudice were all rife during the Gilded Age - it was also a time of great opportunity” Sums up why very little has changed 😅

[@paolanajera7107]

As much as I admire the past as a historian, understand the vast inequalities. I understand there's still much to learn from the past. But at least even if I am poor I have medical basic insurance, unemployment, my children don't have to work from 12 years old, women have the right to vote, theres workers compensation if you get injured within a job, theres a law that's stablishes how many hours should one work including brakes, oportunity to education if one takes the advantage of it. At least as a woman I am happy I live in this century. There's so many other countries that dont have the basic needs. It's not about politics, it's about basic human rights.

[@GOODYGOODGOOD789]

To quote a great Jedi named Count Dooku "Corruption like yours must be eradicated!"

[@yellolab09]

Yeah. Chaplin's movie, Modern Times, describes it better.

[@camspks]

Really informative and enjoyable. Going to check out your book. 😀👍

[@quatreraberbawinner2628]

I can explain it even faster, it's like today except without all the advanced technology

[@alruiz5096]

Excellent presentation and very even handed account.

[@Natalie-gw8jt]

Amazing!!

[@sharongillesp]

These wealthy businessman were not important men, they were simply the greediest of greed in society at that time as they are today. They are not people to look up to and admire.

[@keepwondering_]

I agree, but purely on business side, they are.

[@KainMalice]

This has all happened before. Just with different faces.

[@markg.7865]

It's coming back around, history always repeats.

[@TheChavez1976]

It’s already here. In spades.

[@rickb3650]

Not really different faces. The names change through marriage, but most of them then are the same families running us today.

[@Sarcastic_Asmodeus]

There's a reason why the government, left and right, seem to suddenly agree that massively bolstering our law enforcement and military is a top priority. The common folk are gonna implode, the rich/ elite will secure their neighborhoods and we will be left to fend for ourselves. Divided as we are, will this yield progress again? I feel like it's not. We're too divided.

[@KellyfromMemphisDD214]

(Wonderful editing and visual slideshow…enjoyed this immensely 🤗)

[@emperorsean1]

Nice to see history repeating itself. Here in Ireland anyway.

[@lavenberry]

Interesting how history repeats itself. Over and over and over and over. Seems we'll never move forward.

[@sfkeepay]

“The Gilded Age is often seen as a high point in America’s history.” Nothing like a totally inaccurate historical assessment to kick off a video on history. Sorry, sorry. I know that’s unbalanced and mean-sounding feedback.

[@elizabethboothe2774]

I understood it was a time of extreme unfairness to the people in favor of the rich and that is what we are experiencing again.

[@sfkeepay]

@@elizabethboothe2774, I’d say you summed it up very well.

[@lygophilia4127]

I had an assignment in history class to write a term paper on "The Gilded Age" in 2004, and I could only find ONE source one it. With my paper too closely resembling the sole source, I got a D for plagiarism. It has haunted me since.

[@matthewmathis62]

You didn't go to any of the books?

[@fern7306]

One source? Do you live in a small town in Nebraska?

[@lygophilia4127]

​@@matthewmathis62 Nope, I was used to doing research fully online at that point; I had barely ever stepped foot in the school's library. And I waited until the last minute, since I am able to write papers quickly and had a lot of other work for my classes due sooner. Not a good decision, clearly. I had to retake that semester, but I got an A the second time around, which is more what I'm used to.

[@lygophilia4127]

@@fern7306 One online source.

[@AmericanaGardens]

Love my country. Great video.

[@bruh_hahaha]

such a fascinating period not just in US history but world history. The height of dispersion of peoples to North America was a global changing event. Please do a video for the roaring 1920s. 🙏

[@ericaguirre98]

Inequalities are everywhere in America. But this is not new, it has always been like this.

[@jchow5966]

This was a excellent explaination.

[@joser.nevarez8650]

It said that Teddy Roosevelt was elected president. I might be mistaken, but he was not. He first came into power as being a vice president, as a running mate to President McKinley. When an anarchist killed president Mc Kinley, then Roosevelt took office. McKinley was with the robber barons and pick Roosevelt to appear more progressive thinking he would be manageable. Therefore after McKinley's death, when Roosevelt took office, he did not owe favors to any robber barons and was able to do pretty much what he pleased to start breaking the monopolies. And the tried to kill Roosevelt for it too.

[@LaFemme434]

Really interesting video. Thanks 😊

[@ShamileII]

Great video! Interesting to see that we're going through the same cycle again lol

[@jamesbyrne9312]

Great overview

[@ItsTruble]

I feel like we are reliving the modern day version via technology. Thanks for this break down I’ll probably pick up the book.

[@gnomadD_]

I would dispute the assertion that America (as a country) was "blessed" with a continent full of resources, given that the land generally was not necessarily theirs to just take like they did. If we are talking about being blessed in a religious sense then it would mean whatever God had blessed them must also have supported the genocide of Native American tribes... Other than that nit pick, great vid! :)🤔

[@joexoticdirt8986]

If Europeans and Spanish didn't colonize America someone else would have colonization is just a normal human habit

[@andrelindor1775]

This time is so misunderstood...obviously had corruption and we needed to learn from it, but the amount of freedom and wealth and the innovation was never seen and has not been seen since

[@caelenow2829]

This is my favorite time period to read about. The country was so different from today yet it wasn’t too long ago

[@connorpark2744]

Different?? Forgive me for sounding a little rude but you must be living under a rock. The Wealth gap is just as wide today as it was back in the Gilded Age. The Supreme Court legaly gave big business the right to buy off politicians making sure there will always be corruption. Nativism and Nationalism is on the rise again, look at the uptick in violence against Asian Americans. Big business still easily laugh off any union and strikes. Probably the only difference now is the government won't let business shoot strikers on sight.

[@kindnessfirst9670]

Giving away money does not mean a robber baron was not ruthless and corrupt. A great rich man worth admiring was George Eastman (founder of Kodak). Among other things he donated the money for most of what is now M.I.T. in Cambridge , Massechusetts. But under the condition that his identity be kept secret. He also built hospitals and schools. He ended up killing himself due to untreatable sever back pain. His will left all his fortune to charity.

[@rishavchatterjee3636]

Can I get some further readings on these, especially in relation to immigration during the gilded age

[@xonia1]

Anyone watching The Gilded Age on HBO Max?

[@chrisvaughn5960]

Yes finally saw season 2

[@RonPaul20082012]

Now we have shortages, extreme poverty, drugs, criminality, debasement of currency, inequity, poisonous chemicals in the food, and extreme corruption. We have come such a long way.

[@paolanajera7107]

At least even if I am poor I have medical basic insurance, unemployment, my children don't have to work from 12 years old, women have the right to vote, theres workers compensation if you get injured within a job, theres a law that's stablishes how many hours should one work including brakes, oportunity to education, etc. Basic human rights.

[@RonPaul20082012]

@@paolanajera7107 All of that you mentioned is sporadic and dysfunctional. Consider the amount of hunger, disease, exploitation, mental illness, working 12-16 hours a day at two jobs with an hours long commute, dysfunction of educational institutions, and violations of basic civil liberties

[@gwillis01]

My history book told me of the multiple vote system promoted by Tammany Hall. The political machine bosses needed lots of cooperation from the local barbers to carry this out. This was obviously before signature logs became a standard part of voting at a polling place on election day. Vote # 1 The man showed up wearing a bowler hat and displaying sideburns, mustache, and full beard. Vote # 2. Take off the hat and vote again Vote # 3 Shave off sideburns and vote again. Vote # 4 Shave off the mustache and vote again. Vote # 5. Shave off the beard and vote again.

[@matthewmathis62]

Sounds kind of like our last voting debacle.

[@AB-nb2ic]

Wow... If we had better government we wouldn't need unions. Never thought of it like that before.

[@melelconquistador]

And unions wouldn't have to risk infiltration by mafias when they turn to them for the service of violence in the absence of the same service from government which mostly has a monopoly on violence.

[@ciarandevaney385]

This channel is amazing.

[@noirhorror197]

Sounds like now. It really ticked me off when pelosi called us all peasants.

[@talitam.8414]

You could apply the same commentary to our era! The only major difference is that American influence abroad is declining instead of expanding and is facing fierce international competition namely with China and Asia as a whole (economically) and Russia (military).

[@SatansSimgma]

Thanks Ragan.

[@Rescue162]

Interesting. If you like American history, this is pretty good.

[@n2bfw884]

Great video. Thanks!

[@yeah578]

history is very important to learn

[@ignatiusjackson235]

"High point in American history" 🙄

[@mahmoudibnemir8704]

Bernie Sanders 10 years ago: Millionaires are bad. Bernie Sanders becomes a millionaire. Bernie Sanders today: Billionaires are bad.

[@eimanhawi3390]

thank you very much this is wholesome and very helpful!

[@mattwilliam5522]

History is not repeating itself. The difference is during the guilded age the poor people were willing to work hard. Today they just expect it to be given to them. Big difference

[@Delicious1922]

Enjoyed this video!

[@august2241]

we all want to be wealthy, those who complain abt it also sit on their hands and don’t work hard enough to better their social standing. if you worked hard and became successful, would u have the same thought abt the “evil” rich man?

[@micaht4718]

You mean the “present”?

[@conkyvsricki4710]

vanderbuilt looks like his grand kid anderson copper a bit

[@screenarts]

What the owner class wants is corporate governance. No elected government at all. Just a set of contracts, agreements, treaties. Only remnants of government left would be the courts the military and police.

[@pointlessjihad]

The story of the gilded age as told by the robber barons.

[@SugoiTravelReviews]

The narrator kept saying “during the Gilded Age”, but I just assumed he was talking about now…barely any different IMO

[@jimgordon6629]

The “Gilded Age” really refers to the period right after the Civil War, particularly during the Grant administration, when many scandals and swindles dominated the political scene and flagrant wheeler dealers like Jay Gould were household names. The defeated South was ravaged by such predators from the North who bought up all the infrastructure at bargain basement prices. The narrator’s glib and cheery tone of voice was extremely annoying. The cartoons were great, but just flashed by too rapidly with too little explanation.

[@jackiejns983]

Sounds familiar now

[@kfclovincat]

History doesn’t repeat itself, but it’s certainly whistling a similar tune.

[@ricosuave6898]

Video starts with "The Gilded Age is often remembered as one of the high points of American history...". Wait...what?! Video continues: "Blessed with a continent of valuable resources..." Blessed? Really? By who? The patron saint of slow motion genocide? Video continues: "Up to this point, most Americans had their roots in England, Scotland and Wales" Um...and Africa...and Mexico, and pre-Columbian North America. Video manages to recover, but my God, that first bit was like straight out of a 6th grade Social Studies textbook from 1962.

[@phillylady]

This sounds so familiar! Kinda like we’re experiencing some of the same things today!! 😒

[@curtpiazza1688]

Great history lesson!

[@iwantmyfriescrispynotburnt3981]

Thank goodness for YT premium

[@lordcron]

You ever wonder why we even bother recording history?... We don't learn from it! Still pulling much of the same crap to this very day....

[@kindnessfirst9670]

"Extrajudicial killings" sounds much nicer than cold blooded murder.

[@JasonLewis42]

That’s pretty much how it works today. Politicians say I’ll give you this this and this if you will vote for me. Only today they don’t usually keep their word.

[@pietrusso]

But were there any downsides?

[@kayzeaza]

2:09 way to just learn our Ireland. Lots of Irish poured into the country before and during the civil war