1. US History January 2011

2.  After the Civil War US population:  10 million (1870)30 million (1900)  NYC: 800,000 (1860)3.5 million (1900)  1840: 131 cities with populations of 2,500 residents  1900: 1,700 cities w/populations of 2,500 residents

3.  Mostly people lacking the $$$$ and education to buy farms or obtain higher paying jobs  Worked long hours for little pay in growing number of factories  Despite harsh conditions… many still saw this as an improvement to their standard of living ▪ Bright lights, electricity, running water, museums, libraries, etc.

4.  Tall, steel frame buildings  Guess where the first one was built in 1885? (hint: Windy City)  NYC boosted more skyscrapers than anywhere else in the world

5.  1890: 70% of urban traffic was horsecars  1873: more than 20 cities installed cable cars  1887: electric trolley car  Engineers began to think of ways to move transit off the streets…

7.  High Society:  Late 1800s, wealthiest families established fashionable districts in the heart of a city  Some would spent millions to construct a “French Chateau” or “English Manor”  Servants: cooks, maids, butlers, chaffeurs, nannies  Age when most New Yorkers spent $500/year… one socialite dance might cost $360,000

8.  Industrialization increased the size of this class  Doctors, lawyers, engineers, managers, social workers, architects, teachers  Many moved to suburbs to escape crime and pollution and to build bigger homes  Late 1800s most middle class families had one live-in servant (wives could pursue “Women’s Clubs”)  Initially social-educational… later charitable- reform

9.  Tenements: apartment buildings where most urban dwellers lived (3/4 in NYC, dark and crowded multi- family apartments)  First was built in 1839  Many rented precious space to a boarder to supplement income

11.  White, native-born men… higher wages than women, African Americans, or immigrants  White women, if educated, might find teaching or secretarial work  Largest source of employment for women? Domestic servants (long hours, low wages, social isolation)  Nearly 70% of people 65 or older lived with their grown children (families supporting each other)

12.  What problems can you think of that accompany city living???

13.  Crime, violence, fire, disease, pollution  Minor criminals (pickpockets, thieves, swindlers) thrived in the city crowds  1880-1900 murder rate jumped from 25/1,000,000 to 100/1,000,000  Alcohol contributed to violent crimes

14. Improper sewage disposal Contaminated Drinking Water Epidemics of typhoid fever and cholera

15.  Political Machine: informal political party designed to gain and keep power  Grew partially because new city dwellers needed jobs, housing, food, heat, and police protection  Party bosses would provide favors in exchange for votes

16.  Graft: getting $$ through dishonorable or questionable means  George Plunkitt: defended the idea of “honest graft”… ex: buy land near where a new park was to be built and then sell the land to the city for profit.  Bribes from contractors to build things and permits to operate different utilities (railroads, waterworks)

17.  NYC Democratic political machine  William “Boss” Tweed, leader during 1870s and 1870s (imprisoned in 1874)