. How did memories of the Civil War affect the politics of the Gilded Age?

Read the following Discussion question carefully, then submit an original answer. Your answer should be at least a few sentences to a paragraph in length. There is no “right” or “wrong” answer, but your opinion should be well-reasoned and based on fact.

1. Ironically, late nineteenth century cities–the most densely populated communities in the United States–shared many qualities in common with western frontier towns–among the least densely populated. Why? What were these qualities? How did both the industrial city and the western mining or cattle town differ from the typical American rural village or small town?

2. Give three examples of how retail sales and distribution techniques of the late nineteenth century made goods and conveniences formerly enjoyed only by city dwellers available to Americans in small towns and the countryside.

3. How did memories of the Civil War affect the politics of the Gilded Age? Did this focus on the past distract the attention of the public–or political leaders–away from crucial current economic problems?

4. How did memories of the Civil War affect the politics of the Gilded Age? Did this focus on the past distract the attention of the public–or political leaders–away from crucial current economic problems?

5. Although the Populist Party itself was short-lived, several Populist initiatives were eventually adopted by the federal government. Do you think Populism as a movement and a philosophy was a success or a failure? In what ways?