America Moves to the City Chapter 25

The Growth of Cities Late 19th Century-Move to the City-Why? Industrial Growth Jobs Immigration Lure of a better life

Mulberry Street, NYC c. 1900

New Features and Problems Skyscrapers-Louis Sullivan-Elevators Mass Transit-Trolley Department Stores- Macy’s Marshall Field’s Problems Criminals Sanitary Conditions Slums-Dumbbell Tenement Disease Fire

New Immigration From 1880 up through the early 1900’s, a flood of immigrants came from Southern and Eastern Europe-Italians, Slavs, Croats, Greeks and Poles They were treated with hostility and suspicion……Why? Culture, religion and Slums They were also opposed by Unions-Why? Cheap labor

Help for the Immigrants Jane Addams-Hull House-Chicago-Settlement House The beginning of Social Work Political machines also helped out However, the government gave little or no help in the early days of this flood of immigration

Narrowing the Welcome Mat Much like the Nativist movements of the 1840’s, many “native” Americans despised the flood of “refuse” coming into the country What were their complaints? APA-American Protective Association was formed to fight immigration 1882-First laws were passed to restrict immigration Chinese were excluded altogether.

Church Influence Although Christianity continued to play a big role – it was diminished. City life was fast-paced and the Gilded Age was a money-making Pd Over 150 denominations in America by 1890. Darwin’s book – Origin of Species, ignited a major debate.

Education Public education became the norm in the post-Civil War era. By 1900, even high school boasted rising numbers. Education began to be viewed as necessary for all children. Still, African-Americans were not receiving their fair share of educ.

Two Schools of Thought Booker T. Washington W.E.B. DuBois

Two Schools of Thought Though African-Americans weren’t being treated fairly, what to do? Booker T. Washington took the role of “accomodationist” – take what you can W.E.B. Du Bois was Harvard educated and sought radical social change – Du Bois was a Northerner.

Higher Education Women’s colleges were being formed and graduating increasing numbers. Land grants were given in the S. and MW for universities. (Morrill Act) Other universities were built by philanthropists – industrialists. Many colleges, by 1890, were offering specialized programs of study. (as well as high schools)

Literature in the Gilded Age Newspapers had become big business and sensational. Why? Monthly magazines – often promoted social reform. Books were written to entertain, inform, and argue politics and rel. Mark Twain popularized writing about America in “American language”

Women The Gilded Age saw women’s movements pick up steam. Female authors were writing about sex, birth control, economics and the vote. Likewise, the divorce rate in America shot up at about the same time.589 Women were becoming independent.

Arts and Entertainment Although few artist gained much notoriety, there were a few painters and sculptors. Music was an area of art where Americans flourished. Entertainment took on the form of plays, sports, and the circus. We gots to be entertained.