Lesson 1.04 Life During the Gilded Age

Culture in the Gilded Age

What do Coca-cola, toilet paper, and refrigerators all have in common?
They were all developed during the Gilded Age!

Inventors such as Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison made life easier with their innovative designs and projects. Americans could now stay out later, communicate over long distances, and store food with relative ease. Life had truly transformed.

Learn more about these and other developments by reviewing the information at the links below. As you read and view, complete 1.04 Outline. Be sure to save this outline when complete. It will help you with the Tasks and serve as a study tool for the Unit Test.

Glamour of American Cities

Education

Sports and Leisure

Wright Brothers Video

The Print Revolution

Photograph Citations (left to right):

Early Telephone, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, FSA/OWI Collection, Web. 13 February 2014. <http://www.loc.gov/pictures/ collection/det/item/det/1994022912/PP.com/>.

Thomas Edison with a film projector IRC, 2005, Image. Discovery Education. Web. 13 February 2014. <http://www.discoveryeducation.com/>.

Education Reform

Horace Mann was an education reformer who worked tirelessly in the mid-1800s to reform education. His efforts had direct impact on schools during the Gilded Age. Listed below are a few of Horace Mann's contributions to education:

• Pioneered the creation of a State Board of Education
• Promoted free public education for all students
• Advocated for the establishment of free libraries
• Established training institutes for teachers
• Lengthened the school year to 6 months!
• Generated support for school building projects, teacher salaries, and school supplies
• Supported character education
• Believed in "common schools" that brought children of different backgrounds together

Photograph Citation

Horace Mann (1796-1859)  IRC,2005, Image. Discovery Education. Web. 13 February 2014. <http://www.discoveryeducation.com/>.