The Gilded Age is a critical name: it means that on the surface things might have appeared 'golden' and 'glittery' but underneath there was not much value, instead we find corruption and desperation.

Select one:
True
False

I think true

Yes. It was "gilded" for some, but only those we now call the "one percenters." So not golden, but just gilded.

That is correct! The statement is true. The Gilded Age was a period in American history from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, characterized by rapid economic growth, industrialization, and technological advancement. However, beneath the surface of this outward prosperity, there were significant social, political, and economic problems. The term "gilded" refers to the idea that society was "coated" or "covered" in a thin layer of gold, implying that things appeared glamorous and prosperous, but in reality, there was corruption, income inequality, political scandals, and social unrest. So, while the surface may have seemed golden and glittery, underneath there was a lack of value and a sense of desperation.