During The Gilded Age popular culture became a more important aspect of society due to the rise of a culture of leisure and mass consumerism. Youth were the biggest consumers during this time and their elders generally looked down upon this new culture, seeing it as shocking and immoral. Segregation and stereotypes were key in this era with entertainment such as blackface minstrel shows taking place which were plays acted out by white men wearing a black face. Bicycle riding, camping, and public parks all grew in prominence. Printing also became cheaper. This led to an increase in the printing of newspapers, dime novels, and paperback novels. Poetry saw an increase in popularity with poems that were typically optimistic and encouraged progress.
Plays also became popular during The Gilded Age. The most popular play during this time was Uncle Tom's Cabin. Due to the increase in mass consumerism, department stores became a key development. In 1858, Macy's was founded. Most often department stores were ran by families and stores were geared towards the upper class. Sports became prominent, seeing for the first time the creation of a professional baseball team, along with boxing and horse racing. Horse racing was typically associated more with the upper class, while baseball and boxing were more common among the middle class.
Vaudeville is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment and became well known during The Gilded Age. It was called "the heart of American show business" and was one of the most popular types of entertainment in North America for several decades. It encompassed many short acts that were made into one larger show. Each performance was made up of a series of short, separate, and unrelated acts that were grouped together into a larger overall show. Some of the acts that could've been featured in a vaudeville performance are popular and classical musicians, dancers, comedians, trained animals, magicians, impersonators, athletes, jugglers, acrobats, and more!
Ragtime or Rag is a style of music based on complicated rhythms that was popular during The Gilded Age. This music style is fast paced and has its roots in African American folk traditions. Scott Joplin who was one of America's most popular musicians at one time, spent many years as the "King of Ragtime." By playing this style of music publicly, Joplin created a craze for rag. His compositions represented African American heritage and experiences during the late 19th and early 20th century.
Plays also became popular during The Gilded Age. The most popular play during this time was Uncle Tom's Cabin. Due to the increase in mass consumerism, department stores became a key development. In 1858, Macy's was founded. Most often department stores were ran by families and stores were geared towards the upper class. Sports became prominent, seeing for the first time the creation of a professional baseball team, along with boxing and horse racing. Horse racing was typically associated more with the upper class, while baseball and boxing were more common among the middle class.
Vaudeville is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment and became well known during The Gilded Age. It was called "the heart of American show business" and was one of the most popular types of entertainment in North America for several decades. It encompassed many short acts that were made into one larger show. Each performance was made up of a series of short, separate, and unrelated acts that were grouped together into a larger overall show. Some of the acts that could've been featured in a vaudeville performance are popular and classical musicians, dancers, comedians, trained animals, magicians, impersonators, athletes, jugglers, acrobats, and more!
Ragtime or Rag is a style of music based on complicated rhythms that was popular during The Gilded Age. This music style is fast paced and has its roots in African American folk traditions. Scott Joplin who was one of America's most popular musicians at one time, spent many years as the "King of Ragtime." By playing this style of music publicly, Joplin created a craze for rag. His compositions represented African American heritage and experiences during the late 19th and early 20th century.