urbanization ppt
TRANSCRIPT
UrbanizationTurn of the Century
Overcrowding and Slums• As workers came to the cities, the middle-class moved to suburbs.• Previously middle-class homes were converted into tenements: low-
cost rental housing that often barely met minimal living requirements.• Whole families would share single-room apartments.• Often there was no heat or lighting.
Lack of Sanitation and Pollution• No sewage systems.• Contaminated water caused
outbreaks of cholera and typhoid.• Lack of ventilation in tenements
contributed to the spread of disease.• Garbage-collection and street-
cleaning services were inadequate.• Factories and railroads polluted the
air, water, and ground with smoke, ash, and chemicals.
Lack of Sanitation and Pollution
Traffic Congestion• Until the turn of the century, horse-
drawn cars crowded the streets of cities.• This made movement difficult.• Most streets were too small to
accommodate the increased traffic.• Cable car, electric trollies, and electric
subway all helped the flow of traffic.
Vast Differences in Wealth• The rich and the poor lived very close
together.• The rich were famous for throwing
lavish parties, just to display their wealth.• There was tension between the classes
because they were so close together.
Political Corruption• Many American cities were run by
political machines: organizations usually controlled by a leader (boss) that gets citizens to vote for candidates on election day.• People worked for the “machine” in
exchange for political favors.• Political bosses provided jobs and
services to immigrants and other poor residents in return for their votes.
Political Corruption• Political machines used their control of
city governments to make money by overcharging on city contracts (construction, etc.)• Tammany Hall: one of the most famous
political machines, located in NYC.• Named and elected mayors and government
officials.• “Ward Bosses” were assigned to each section
of the city, to gather votes.• Boss Tweed was one of the most corrupted
politicians during this time period.
Political Corruption• Political machines and their bosses
did provide important social services to those in need at a time when government did very little.• They would lend money, provide
jobs, give emergency assistance (food, coal, rent).• Encouraged and helped immigrants
to assimilate and become citizens.
Rise of the Skyscraper• Skyscrapers began to develop as
a result of urban overcrowding.• Used for residential, business,
and industrial purposes.