Richard White, the historian and author of "The Republic for Which It Stands," explains what made the late 19th century gilded.

The Gilded Age has become a hot topic in pop culture, with an HBO show of the same name (seen here filming behind the scenes in New York City). The 2022 Met Gala also had a Gilded Age theme.

in which people who accrued great wealth accrued great influence over the course of the United States. This system went on to define the Gilded Age. Thompson: In the introduction of The Republic ...