Final answer:
The 'Gilded Age' describes the late 19th century in America, known for economic growth, stark social inequalities, and political corruption. 'Social Darwinism' justified economic disparities as natural, while Andrew Carnegie's 'Gospel of Wealth' promoted the philanthropic responsibility of the wealthy. Scott Joplin, the 'King of Ragtime,' was an influential African American composer of the era.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term Gilded Age characterizes American society in the late nineteenth century as a period of rapid economic growth, with a thin layer of golden prosperity covering the underlying issues of deep social inequalities and political corruption. This era was marked by the ascendancy of industrial magnates often perceived as benefiting from a corrupt relationship with government officials. The phrase was coined by Mark Twain in his satire of the era, pointing towards the veneer of respectability and wealth that hid the period's systemic problems.
Social Darwinism is a term used to describe the theory that suggests that in society, as in nature, only the fittest survive. This concept was used during the Gilded Age to justify the vast differences in class and the accumulation of wealth by individuals like Andrew Carnegie, who amassed fortunes through what was perceived as the natural order of economic competition.
Andrew Carnegie authored The Gospel of Wealth, in which he argued that it was the responsibility of the wealthy elite to redistribute their wealth in ways that promoted the welfare and advancement of society. This idea sought to counter the negative aspects of Social Darwinism by highlighting the duty of the wealthy to use their fortunes philanthropically, as demonstrated by Carnegie's significant contributions to public works like libraries and scientific research.
Scott Joplin was an African American composer and pianist, often referred to as the "King of Ragtime." Joplin's music, which included the famous piece "The Entertainer," became widely popular in the early 20th century and played a significant role in the development of American music.