The time span from the end of the Civil War to the early 1900's is sometimes known as the Gilded A because...

• there was a layer of "progress" covering lots of corruption

many workers joined gilds for protection

• The US elected President Gil Gilson 7 times

• World of Warcraft was the most popular video game at the time

The correct answer is:

• there was a layer of "progress" covering lots of corruption