Victorianism And Anti Victorianism At War - 1188 Words

Victorianism and anti-Victorianism at War The Gilded Age was a time when America was experiencing conflicting forces in social and political ways. Coming out of the wounds of the civil war and emerging as a new world power, the urge of the elite class to maintain the Victorian social structures was met with strong opposition as more came to realize the intrinsic flaws and injustice of Victorianism. Although Victorianism had a dominant influence on the Gilded Age society, the oppressed was starting to manifest their opposition to this inherently flawed system. Among the many aspects of this struggle, social class and ethnicity were the two most prevalent. Most white Americans alive in the Gilded Age might agree that social class is the†¦show more content†¦A milder argument endorsing the elite class focuses on the technological development. Poverty is only transient. Technological development can provide a solution to this problem. Therefore, much effort went into showcasing the technological developments to please the people by providing an illusion of a wonderful future. 1876 Philadelphia World’s Fair was such an unsuccessful attempt. The Philadelphia World’s Fair reinforced the view of American progress in economics, technology, and social harmony. Over 45 feet tall, the Corliss Centennial Engine was an iconic exhibition that visually displayed the majestic power of American industry. On the other hand, the right arm and torch of the Statue of Liberty were showcased at the Exposition, satirically displaying the freedom that only the elite and middle class enjoyed. The Philadelphia fair received critical comme nts on the myth of material and social progress that it tried to sell. In essence, by shifting public attention from social problems to technological progress, the ruling groups used the world fairs as measures of propaganda to soothe the working class into accepting the social construct. The World’s Fair might be successful at presenting