ober 8th, 2014 The Gilded Age was a time period during the early to mid-19th century that portrayed America as the home of unbridled opportunity and success; but in reality was a time of social, economic, and political controversies. A strong republican government supported by an unjust voting system existed, and the harmful effects of industrialization and urbanization were felt by the working class of America. The effects of the unregulated rise of capitalism in big businesses threatened the public