HST 203 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Thorstein Veblen, Gilded Age, Social Darwinism
Document Summary
Colombian expedition of 1893: held to commemorate 400 years since discovery of america by. U. s was world"s leading industrial power in 1893: made possible by production of gold, iron, and petroleum, among. The white city: showed technological, agricultural, architectural and more advancement and development in u. s, world"s first ferris wheel, main event, museum like central point to the expedition. Held in chicago so that people could see that chicago was back, had rebuilt from huge fire 20 years prior. After the ball performed on expedition, started selling sheet music to customers. Popularity of sheet music demonstrated important aspects of music in the era. Last 3 decades of 19th century: the gilded age: piano"s became must haves, sign of wealth or status, based on book by mark twain. Gilded: cheap gold painted to look like solid gold: surface over substance. People with wealth flaunted it, people without it chased it. Thorstein veblen: conspicuous consumption was his view of extravagant wealth.
