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t the government had little ability and that money could lead to corruption. They were willing to give their wealth away by themselves or to give to some reliable charity foundations. Doing this, American millionaires could make their money more valuable and equitable. 3. The Social Background of Charities Modern American charities had a good foundation in history, religion and culture. But it was insufficient only relying on wish and motivation. Doing charities needs much money. It must need pressure to let millionaires take out their money. The growing economy, the domestic and overseas situation had created good conditions for the development of charity foundation. From the civil war to the beginning of 1900s, historians called this period “Gilled Age”. In this period, American economy developed fast with the governmental corruption. With the developing of economy and the increasing of wealth, a group of millionaires appeared. It was estimated that there were millionaires less than 100 in 1880, but there were more than 4000 millionaires in 1916. In 1901, Andrew Carnegie sold his steel company to J.P.Morgan and got 400 million dollars. At the beginning of 1990s, the richest person was John.D.Rockefeller. In 1900, his wealth was about 200 million dollars, but just 10 years later his money exceeded 900 million dollars. Because of the flourishing of economy, the huge wealth was accumulated. American millionaires also appeared and they began to think about how to use it. In the period of Gilled Age, America not only experienced the flourishing of economy, but also experienced the corruption of politics. Firstly, money was poured into the riches’ pockets endlessly. Millionaires appeared such as Carnegie, Rockefeller and Morgan. The number of their families was only 1% in American families, but their earnings were about 15% in all the families’ earnings. There were many poor people and they were works, farmers, unemployed men, women and children. According to a survey, it was said that there were about 10% families whose earnings were less than 200 dollars in America. In Gilled Age, economy developed fast, this did not bring the stability of society and also did not avoid the recession. From1873 to 1897, there happened a great recession. And on the other hand, the recession induced the crisis of society, the society was disordered. Out of America, more and more socialist country arose gradually. Soviet Union was strong. It affected the domination of capitalism. In this situation, some people began to ponder. They hoped the society better, but they did not want to change the system of capitalism. They wished to alleviate the contradiction of society. The Muckraking was initiated by some journalists in America. They disclosed the inequality of society, the corruption of politics and the violence of syndicates. Heads of syndicates, such as Carnegie and Rockefeller, they were called as robber barons. For this moment, government began to innovate, and millionaires also felt the pressure from government and ordinary people. This pressure compelled millionaires to change their figures of robber barons. And then, they began to use their money to pay back the society. Gradually, modern charity foundation was formed in this situation, and it also became the unique phenomenon of America. Charity foundation blossomed in America at the beginning of the 1900s. it was the mirror of American history, culture, religion and the background of society