why is it called the gilded age

It is called the Gilded Age because the term "gilded" means covered with a thin layer of gold. This era, roughly from the 1870s to 1900, appeared prosperous and shiny on the surface due to rapid industrial growth, vast wealth accumulation by industrialists, and economic expansion. However, beneath this golden exterior lay serious problems such as political corruption, wealth inequality, poor working conditions, and social struggles. The name was popularized by author Mark Twain in his 1873 book titled "The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today," which satirized the greed and corruption of the period while highlighting the stark contrast between the wealthy elite and the working poor.