1. MAIN IDEAS Both immigrants and native-born Americans moved to growing urban areas in record numbers in the late 1800s and early 1900s. New technology and ideas helped cities change and adapt to rapid population growth.

2. VOCABULARY TERMS factor cause mass transit
public transportation designed to move a large number of people
suburbs
residential neighborhoods outside of downtown areas
mass culture
leisure and cultural activities shared by many people
Joseph Pulitzer
publisher of New York World newspaper
William Randolph Hearst
publisher of New York Journal newspaper
department stores
large retail stores that sell many different types of goods
Frederick Law Olmsted
landscape architect who designed Central Park in New York
City

3. GROWTH OF URBAN AREAS During the late 1800s many native-born Americans
and immigrants moved to cities. By 1900, about
40 percent of Americans lived in cities. The people
moving into large cities included new immigrants
and rural residents looking for work. Farm equipment
replaced workers in rural areas. African
Americans from the rural South moved to northern
cities. They wanted to escape discrimination and
find better opportunities.

4. Between 1850 and 1900, Chicago grew
from 30,000 people to 1.7 million. Many of
the new residents were immigrants from
southern and eastern Europe. One factor in
the growth of Chicago was its location on
new railroad lines. These rail lines placed Chicago
in the center of the trade in lumber, grain, and
meat.

5. Changing Cities New technology helped cities grow quickly and
changed the look of American cities. One way to
find space for people to live and work was to build
taller buildings. The steel industry grew in the late
1800s. Steel beams became inexpensive enough
to use in frames of tall buildings. The invention of
the safety elevator made skyscrapers practical.

6. Skyscrapers made it possible for more
people to work and live in the cities. Mass
transit developed, allowing people to travel
in large numbers. Mass transit let many
middle-class residents move to
suburbs.

7. As the publishing industry grew, mass culture
developed in the United States. Big cities often
had many competing newspapers. The New York
World, published by Joseph Pulitzer and the New
York Journal, published by William Randolph
Hearst, fought for readership in New York City.
Huge department stores changed the way people
shopped for goods in cities.

8. The demand for public entertainment led to
large fairs and the creation of amusement parks.
People also needed open public space in large
cities.
Frederick Law Olmsted became famous for
Designing Central Park in New York City, as well
as many state and national parks.