Rediculously worded history question... somebody translate for me please?

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Mordecai36

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This question is so vague (just like the other four essay questions I have to answer). Would somebody care to translate this into terms that a normal human-being would use? Here it is:

Were Americans becoming more or less dependant (yes, it's spelled JUST like that) during the Gilded Age? Use specific examples to define dependency, describe why Americans of this era believed that it was an important issue, and show how people throughout the country were increasingly confronted by questions of dependency in ALL aspects of their lives. Be aware that dependency was/is not solely an economic experience nor is it solely an experience of unskilled industrial laborers.

What the **** does that mean?!?!?!?!!
 
When I have questions like these, I usually take them apart one sentence at a time.

Part 1: Choose your thesis, were they or werent they dependent? This has to be chosen in order to go into the rest of the details. For the example I am going to say they were.

Part 2: Focus on examples of dependency (I have no clue what this is about so keep that in mind with my examples). Maybe they were dependent on other countries, on gold, on whatever. Solid examples! It says ALL aspects so make sure you dont just focus on something job related, but have examples from everything.

Part 3: Explain why this was an important issue, going back to the examples and clarifying their meaning. You set up the data and now explain the importance.

I hope that helped somewhat. I hate those questions too, but I've found they are alot less overwhelming when you structure them.
 
It's asking whether or not the people of the Gilded Age were more doing things for themselves (in terms of making their own living without assistance) or were relying on others in many aspects of their lives. The Gilded Age saw a rise in philanthropy (think Carnegie, Rockefeller) and the rise of massive labor unions. So in that way, Americans were becoming more dependent on their fellow employees and rich philanthropists for support in areas like jobs, education, medical care, and community building. However, in terms of politics, Bourbon Democrats supported a Laissez-Faire (hands-off) government. So, generally speaking, during the Gilded Age Americans were less dependent on the state but more dependent on private entities.
 
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