Rapid industrialization and urbanization led to overcrowded immigration neighborhoods and tenements

Challenges faced by cities Tenements and ghettos: –Overcrowded –Diseases spread easily because people were so close to each other –No garbage collection, so trash piled up Insects and rodents spread disease

–Danger of fire Most buildings were made of wood and whole blocks would burn Difficult to escape with blocked fire escapes –High crime Gangs would overrun some communities Difficult for police to catch criminals

Challenges faced by cities Political corruption (political machines): –Some officials were able to control the government through illegal and dishonest ways –William “Boss” Tweed controlled New York City for years and stole millions and dollars from the city