1. The era towards the end of the 1880’s was known as the Gilded Age. This meant that the period was glittering on the surface, seeming to be a prosperous and wealthy economy, but beneath the gold was greed, corruption, and hardship. The Gilded Age featured “robber barons,” who were people who became extremely wealthy through ruthless business practices. | 1. The era towards the end of the 1880’s was known as the Gilded Age. This meant that the period was glittering on the surface, seeming to be a prosperous and wealthy economy, but beneath the gold was greed, corruption, and hardship. The Gilded Age featured “robber barons,” who were people who became extremely wealthy through ruthless business practices. |