Chapter 21, Section 3: Life in the Changing Cities

Main Idea: A building boom, new technology, and new

leisure activities changed the way city dwellers lived.

A. Cities Take on a New LookVertical Growth

New technology made “skyscrapers” possible Lightweight steel frames

(stronger) Elevators made high-rises more

practical 1st high-rise in Chicago in 1885

(10 stories)

Horizontal Growth Open spaces provide areas for

recreation (parks, zoos, gardens, etc.) Public transportation carried workers

to jobs & lessened traffic jams Electric streetcars (trolleys) Subways(underground) Els (elevated trains)

- Urban parks, such as Central Park, were designed in order to preserve open spaces.

B. Sports Sports provided people with an

escape Baseball – 1st played in NY

in 1840s, became popular during CW, 1st pro teams/league in 1870s, segregated until 1960s

Football – all run, no pass, many injuries

Basketball – James Naismith in Springfield, MA, wanted winter indoor activity, soccer ball was thrown into peach baskets nailed to walls

Transcript

Video

Abbott & Costello

C. Entertainment Shopping becomes more popular

with department stores (Macy’s in NYC)

Wealthy attended symphonies and operas; commoners went to vaudeville shows (variety/talent acts) and listened to ragtime (“Maple Leaf Rag” by Scott Joplin)

Edison’s phonograph cause music to become more popular; marching bands played John Philip Sousa songs (“Stars & Stripes Forever”)

These shared experiences brought Americans together & spread American culture

- Vaudeville shows became extremely popular.Examples: comedians, song and dance routines, and acrobats

- Music such as ragtime became extremely popular as well.Example: Scott Joplin – an African-American composer

Audio: Maple Leaf Rag

* Music, sports and vaudeville brought Americans from different cultures together and helped to encourage assimilation