Michael Oduro Shawn Singh
Natural and economic disasters in the Midwest forced farmers to move to cities which promised industrial jobs. Cheap housing and factory work for unskilled immigrant laborers. African Americans attempted to escape racial violence and poverty in the south. Why Did it Occur?
Massive industrialization and mechanization created many job opportunities in the cities. Attributed to Rockefeller (Oil), Carnegie (Steel), Vanderbilt (Railroads), and Ford (Assembly Line/Automotive) Industrial Revolution
Although rural population doubled, urban population grew more than 700% ~1900 – New York had as many Irish as Dublin, the largest Jewish population in the world, more Italians and Poles than any city other than Rome or Warsaw. Americanization Movement Urban Population
New York City th Avenue, North from 66th Street. Digital image. Photographium.com. Photographium, 10 Feb Web. 8 Dec
More than 400,000 new patents issued between Mass-transit Systems – people all over the city could reach work. Ex. Electric trolleys, subway stations, coach wagons Urban Innovations
Skyscrapers and Electric Elevators – easier to fit more people within a city. Urban Innovations Skyscrapers Overshadowing Trinity Church. Digital image. Photographium.com. Detroit Publishing Company, 11 Nov Web. 09 Dec
Negative Aspects Due to the population increase, many problems emerged in the cities. Expanded population increased the difference between the upper and lower classes.
1. Lack of safe/efficient transportation 2. Unsafe drinking water 3. Lack of sanitation 4. Fire hazards 5. Crime – pickpockets/thieves Living Conditions
1. Mass-transit innovations: street cars, and electric subways introduced 2. New York/Cleveland bought public water systems, and filtration introduced in did not completely solve the problem of unsafe water Responses to Living Conditions
3. Private contractors hired to sweep streets and collect garbage and sanitation departments established. 4. Nothing done about fire hazards, people still used kerosene and candles inside of wooden buildings. Ex. Chicago Fire (1871) Responses to Living Conditions
5. New York City organized the first full- time police force in 1844, but it was too small to have an impact on crime. Responses to Living Conditions Riis, Jacob A. Bandit's Roost. Digital image. Historymatters.gmu.edu. George Mason Univeristy, Web. 9 Dec
Poor Housing “Dollar per Month” shacks Tenements and ghettoes in the slums of urban areas.
Long work hours (10-14), minimal breaks, dangerous workplaces, low wages. Entire families, including children as little as 3 years, had to work to keep family above poverty level. Emergence of Labor Unions (AFL). Working Conditions
Corrupt politicians took advantage of needy immigrants in the cities. Graft – taking advantage of a position for personal gain (by patronage). Tammany Hall, William “Boss” Tweed embezzled more than $30,000,000 from New York City. Political Machines
Progressive Era Reformist and Activist Founded “Hull House,” the first settlement home in the US. Settlement houses made in poor areas to help the urban lower class. Provided things such as food, education, medicine, etc. Jane Addams
The YMCA also known as the Young Men’s Christian Association, was an association created to help solve the crime problems during urbanization. Basketball was one key sport created by James Naismith to help solve violence that urbanization created. Billy Sunday, Central park, Fenway park Religion and Sports
Cultural Benefits
Urban Philosophies