How did the economic growth of the Gilded Age impact NC and the US?

The economic growth of the Gilded Age significantly transformed North Carolina and the broader U.S. by fostering industrialization and urbanization. In North Carolina, this era saw the rise of textile mills and tobacco production, which provided jobs and stimulated local economies. Nationally, the period was marked by rapid expansion of railroads and factories, increasing production but also leading to stark economic inequalities and labor unrest. Overall, while the Gilded Age spurred economic progress, it also highlighted the challenges of industrialization, including social tensions and environmental degradation.