Answer:
It temporarily avoided a civil war again, popular sovereignty being used as a factor to decide whether the state will be free or a slave state. The slavery issue is becoming worse and more violent. This is igniting the fire of civil war. It effectively repealed both the Missouri Compromise 1820 and Compromise of 1850.
They argue the first event toward democratization is the threat of revolution, then creation of civil society organizations, and lastly an active middle class to provide moderation.
When the citizens demand or threaten revolution, the elites must give up some power to maintain overall power. This is step one and is then up to the creation of organizations to enforce the elites come through with their promises. The middle class aids in providing education but also a vehicle for change. They are more moderate and will not allow the system to go to the extremes of the ordinary citizens or working classes.
Rapid economic growth generated vast wealth during the Gilded Age.
New products and technologies improved middle-class quality of life.
Industrial workers and farmers didn't share in the new prosperity, working long hours in dangerous conditions for low pay.
Gilded Age politicians were largely corrupt and ineffective.
Most Americans during the Gilded Age wanted political and social reforms, but they disagreed strongly on what kind of reform.
