Spanning the era from the end of Reconstruction (1877) to 1920, the entries of this reference were chosen with attention to the people, events, inventions, political developments, organizations, and other forces that led to significant changes in the U.S. in that era. Seventeen initial stand-alone essays describe as many themes.

A comprehensive resource offers information on the people, events, inventions, political developments, organizations, and other forces that led to significant changes in the United States during the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era.

Presents study tools on the Gilded Age and Progressive Era including overviews of such aspects as industrialization, immigration, westward expansion, and invention; twenty-five biographical profiles; eighteen primary sources; a time line; and a glossary.