Chapter 20-2
Moving To the City
Growth of Cities
• In 1870, 1in 4 People lived in cities (over 2500ppl)
• In 1910, 1 in 2 people now did.– Causes Immigrants- 80% of population – Looking for jobs because of mechanization
Transportation and Resources
• Railroads fed the growth of cities.
• Chicago grew to be one of the biggest meat packing cities
• Pittsburgh thrived because of iron and steel
• Seaports opened up- New York & San Fran
Tenement Living
• People poured into cities faster than houses could be built forcing many to live in Tenements or slums- houses in poor neighborhoods. – Small Dark Rooms– 3-4 people living in each room
Jacob Riis
• Reported on Tenement living in his Book “How the Other Half Lives”
On the Flip - The Middle Class
• Professional People- Doctors, Lawyers, & ministers.
• Moved to Suburbs – outside of cities- many had all the luxuries like hot water, indoor toilets and by 1900 electricity. Usually had at least one servant.
The Gilded Age• Upper class- the very rich- lived in
mansions, now converted into museums!!
In 1883, Alva and William Vanderbilt threw a party that was reported to cost $75,000. For food and entertainment- 1.3 Mil today!
The Gilded Age Mark Twain- referred to society that was quite different.
Health and CrimeThe “Lung Block” was dubbed because of the amount of TB cases.
Crime
• Gangs Quickly spread in areas where people outnumbered the police.
Gangs of New York
Solutions
• YMCA- Young Men’s Christian Associations & YWCA’s too for women!
• Gave opportunities where young could play not fight and steal- Idle hands…
James Naismith
January 20, 1892
• Settlement houses- Hull House- Jane Adams- in Chicago in 1889- Got kids off the streets. Provided Medical care, wash new born babies, prepare the dead, nurse the sick & mind the children.
Building Up- Not Out
• Space in cities was precious. – Architects answered the call– 1884 first skyscraper 10 stories!! In Chicago-
Sold insurance – William Jenney– Helped by Otis’ invention – Elevator
103rd floor1353 ft
Woolworth Building• 55 stories 792 ft tall
New forms of TransportationOral Notes
Ghost busters 2Ghostbusters clip
Eads Bridge
1595 ft
Brooklyn
NYC’s Rival- ST. LOUIS Crosses Mississippi