During the gilded age, the government passed legislation to:
a. small businesses
b. handle the great number of people living in cities
c. give the government ownership of new industries
d. actively people

The correct answer is D. During the Gilded Age, the government passed legislation to actively help people.

The reforming politicians raised the prohibition of child labor, education for ethnic and racial groups. Campaigns were made for the reduction of working hours, the vindication of the 8-hour work day and the demand for women's suffrage. State and local governments built schools, colleges and hospitals, and private institutions were founded with the support of local philanthropists.