Omar Bennett
The Gilded Age, from 1870 to 1900, was a period of economic growth and industrialisation in the United States, but it was also marked by poverty and corruption. This era witnessed the rise of powerful corporate tycoons, who amassed vast fortunes and created monopolies, while workers toiled in low-paying and dangerous jobs. The Progressive Era that followed aimed to address these issues through democratic reforms and greater government regulation. During this time, several constitutional amendments were proposed and ratified, including the 17th Amendment, which allowed for the direct election of senators, the 18th Amendment, which established prohibition, and the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. These amendments reflected the changing social and political landscape of the United States, seeking to address the power dynamics between the government, citizens, and big businesses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Amendments made during the Gilded Age | 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments |
| Purpose | To protect the natural and civil rights of African Americans |
| Result | The condition of African Americans worsened in the late 19th century |
| Progressive Era Amendments | 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th Amendments |
| Result | Progressive reforms addressing corruption and greed of the Gilded Age |
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What You'll Learn
Amendments to abolish slavery and grant citizenship and voting rights to African American men
The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the US Constitution, also known as the Reconstruction Amendments, were passed after the Civil War to abolish slavery and grant citizenship and voting rights to African American men.
The 13th Amendment, ratified between 1864 and 1865, abolished slavery in the United States. It stated that "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime... shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." This amendment was necessary to combat the racist views of Black Americans by whites in the states of the former Confederacy.
The 14th Amendment, proposed by Congress in 1866 and ratified in 1868, granted birthright citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the United States. It also included the "equal protection clause," which states that no state shall deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. This amendment ensured that all citizens were guaranteed certain fundamental rights and protections under the law, regardless of race.
The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, granted voting rights to African American men. It stated that "the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." This amendment was designed to integrate formerly enslaved Black Americans into society and ensure their right to participate in the democratic process.
Despite the passage of these amendments, African Americans continued to face significant challenges and widespread discrimination in the late 19th century. Southern states often ignored or found ways to circumvent these amendments, enacting discriminatory laws and practices to deprive African Americans of their newly granted rights. This period saw the rise of civil rights leaders and organizations dedicated to fighting for equality and justice for African Americans.
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The 17th Amendment and the direct election of senators
The 17th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which established the direct election of senators, was a significant reform that occurred during the Gilded Age. This amendment superseded the original procedure outlined in Article I, Section 3, Clauses 1 and 2 of the Constitution, which stipulated that senators were to be appointed by state legislatures.
The push for direct election of senators had its roots in the early 19th century, with proposals for similar amendments surfacing as early as 1826. However, it wasn't until the Gilded Age that the movement gained substantial momentum. The period was marked by widespread corruption, with "robber barons" like Cornelius Vanderbilt and Jay Gould amassing vast wealth and exerting considerable political influence.
The excesses of corporate power and the stark inequality between the "haves" and "have-nots" fueled a progressive backlash. Workers formed labor unions and engaged in strikes to fight against low pay and dangerous working conditions. This sentiment extended to the political realm, with Progressives advocating for democratic reforms to temper the power of big businesses and give citizens greater participation in government.
The direct election of senators was a key aspect of this movement for democratic reform. Initially, senators were chosen by state legislatures, which often resulted in electoral deadlocks and corruption. Muckrakers like David Graham Philips exposed the corruption within the Senate, galvanizing public support for change. By the 1890s, support for direct election had substantially increased, and reformers worked on both legislative and constitutional fronts to bring about this change.
The 17th Amendment was proposed by the 62nd Congress in 1912 and ratified by three-quarters of state legislatures on April 8, 1913. This amendment not only established the direct election of senators but also altered the procedure for filling Senate vacancies. It allowed state legislatures to empower their governors to make temporary appointments until special elections could be held. The transition to direct elections began with special elections in Georgia and Maryland, and by March 4, 1919, all senators had been chosen by popular vote.
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The 18th Amendment and the prohibition of alcohol
Alcohol was a pervasive and destructive force in American life, particularly in small towns, where the only entertainment was often the local saloon. Men would spend a lot of time in these places, drinking heavily, which was very destructive to family life. The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which established the prohibition of alcohol, was proposed by Congress on 18 December 1917 and ratified by the requisite number of states on 16 January 1919. The amendment was the result of decades of effort by the temperance movement, which held that a ban on the sale of alcohol would reduce poverty and other societal problems. The Anti-Saloon League (ASL), formed in 1893, was the most powerful prohibition lobby in America by 1900. The ASL started a campaign in 1906 to ban the sale of alcohol at the state level, arguing that prohibition would inspire new forms of sociability, create happier families, reduce workplace accidents, and improve the world overall.
The 18th Amendment banned the production, transport, and sale of intoxicating liquors, although it did not outlaw the consumption of alcohol. The amendment's language, however, did not forbid the outright possession of alcohol, nor did it explicitly prohibit the production of alcohol for private, personal use. Many states had already enacted statewide prohibition before the ratification of the 18th Amendment, and by 1916, 23 of 48 states had passed laws against saloons, some even banning the manufacture of alcohol. The National Prohibition Act, also known as the Volstead Act, was passed to enforce and define the Amendment's language, making distinctions between the illegality of alcohol designed for consumption and authorising alcohol for scientific, religious, and industrial purposes.
The 18th Amendment led to a sudden surge in illegal alcohol manufacturing, with criminal organisations increasing their involvement. One of the most famous examples of organised crime controlling illegal alcohol production was Al Capone, who made millions of dollars in underground alcohol sales. Drinking at home was common, with so-called "bathtub gin" brewed in households for personal consumption. However, Americans also wanted to enjoy a night out, and illicit bars, or "speakeasies", became popular. These establishments were both wildly popular and hugely profitable. When they were raided and shut down, they often sprang back up just as quickly.
Public sentiment began to turn against Prohibition during the 1920s, and the Great Depression hastened its demise, with opponents arguing that the ban on alcohol denied jobs to the unemployed and much-needed revenue to the government. In 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt included a plan for repealing the 18th Amendment in his successful presidential campaign. On 5 December 1933, the 21st Amendment was ratified, repealing the 18th Amendment and ending Prohibition.
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The 19th Amendment and women's right to vote
The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which came into effect on 18 August 1920, was the culmination of a long and arduous campaign for women's suffrage in the United States. The movement for women's suffrage began in the mid-19th century, with several generations of women's rights activists lecturing, writing, marching, lobbying, and practising civil disobedience to achieve what many Americans considered a radical change to the Constitution.
The first women's suffrage amendment was introduced in Congress in 1878 but was rejected in 1887. In the 1890s, suffrage organisations focused on a national amendment while still working at the state and local levels. By 1912, nine western states had adopted women's suffrage legislation. In 1916, almost all of the major suffrage organisations united behind the goal of a constitutional amendment. The entry of the United States into World War I also helped shift public perception of women's suffrage, as women argued that they should be rewarded with enfranchisement for their patriotic wartime service.
The 19th Amendment states: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." The amendment granted voting rights to 26 million American women and changed the face of the American electorate forever. However, it is important to note that the amendment did not ensure full enfranchisement for all women. Many women of colour, particularly in the South, continued to face barriers to voting due to systemic racism and discriminatory state voting laws. It was not until the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that the promise of the 19th Amendment became a reality for most women of colour.
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The 13th and 14th Amendments and their interpretation
The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, sometimes referred to as the Reconstruction Amendments, were passed after the Civil War to protect the rights of African Americans. Despite these amendments, African Americans continued to face significant challenges and widespread political disenfranchisement.
The 13th Amendment, proposed by Congress on January 31, 1865, abolished slavery and prohibited involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. This amendment was a crucial step towards granting freedom and basic human rights to millions of enslaved people in the United States.
The 14th Amendment, proposed on June 13, 1866, established equal citizenship for African Americans. It stated that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens with equal protection under the law. This amendment overturned the 1857 Dred Scott v. Sanford case, in which the Supreme Court had ruled that African Americans were not citizens and had no legal rights. The 14th Amendment was strongly opposed by some, such as the Presbyterian clergyman and abolitionist Rev. George Cheever, who felt that it granted citizenship without suffrage, and that it was a watered-down amendment that did not go far enough in ensuring the rights of African Americans.
The interpretation and enforcement of these amendments were complex and heavily influenced by the social and political climate of the time. While the 13th Amendment abolished slavery, it did not eradicate the deep-rooted racism and discrimination that persisted in American society. Similarly, the 14th Amendment granted legal citizenship to African Americans, but they still faced significant obstacles to fully exercising their rights, including violent intimidation and the rise of "Jim Crow" laws that enforced segregation.
The passage of these amendments marked a significant step towards racial equality in the United States. However, the ongoing struggle for civil rights and the persistent disparities between African Americans and whites during the Gilded Age highlighted the need for continued social reform and the enforcement of these constitutional guarantees.
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Frequently asked questions
The Gilded Age saw the ratification of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the US Constitution, which abolished slavery and granted citizenship and voting rights to African American men.
The 13th Amendment abolished slavery.
The 14th Amendment declared that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens.
The 15th Amendment banned racial discrimination in voting, ensuring that African American men had the right to vote.
Yes, the 16th Amendment established a federal income tax, and the 17th Amendment provided for the direct election of senators. The 18th Amendment, also known as Prohibition, banned the sale and consumption of alcohol. The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, guaranteed women the right to vote.
