what percentage of america was poor during the gilded age?

50%

Explanation:In some states, unemployment rose to almost 50 percent. The Panic of 1893 lasted four years and left lower and even middle-class Americans fed up with political corruption and social inequality.

the tariff was created to protect industry in the northern part of the united states. industries in the north were being driven out of business by imported goods that were priced at a low rate. the goal was to protect these industries   by taxing the goods.