Becoming an Urban Nation Urbanization The Industrial Revolution

Becoming an Urban Nation

Urbanization • The Industrial Revolution pushed more and more people into cities to find jobs. – Cities offered • Good transportation • Plenty of workers • Urbanization – The growth of cities that resulted from these changes.

Urbanization • Advances – Skyscrapers • Buildings that looked tall enough to scrape the sky. – Elevator • Elisha Otis (Otis Elevator Company) – Installed the first electric elevator in 1889. – Buildings could now be built higher and hold more people. – Steel • Also aided in the construction skyscrapers because it could hold the weight of these large buildings.

Urbanization • Advancements – Electric streetcars • First was installed in Richmond, Virginia (1888) • Some cities, like Chicago, elevated these cars – Els • Some cities, like New York, placed these cars in underground tunnels. – Subways • People could now live further from cities which lead to the development of suburbs. – Many of these suburban cities were annexed by larger cities which expanded their border

Urbanization • Disasters – People were so crammed together in cities that disasters were common. • Examples – Fires – Disease • Living Conditions – Tenements • An apartment house that is usually run-down and overcrowded.

Urbanization • Living Conditions – Slums • Overcrowded neighborhoods with dangerous housing.

Urbanization • Reforms – Settlement Houses • Helped immigrants improve their lives. – Daycare, education, and health services. • Hull House – Chicago 1889 – Jane Addams – Became the model for other settlement houses.

Immigration • Until the 1890’s most immigrants were northern and western European. – New Immigrants • The southern and eastern Europeans who immigrated to the U. S. after 1900.

Immigration • Ellis Island – New York City – Processed immigrants to the East. • Physical Exam – Seriously ill were sent home. • Asked a series of questions – Name? – Occupation? – How much money do you have?

Immigration • Angel Island – San Francisco –Processed immigrants to the West • Mostly Asian –Buildings were filthy and many immigrants were held for weeks.

Immigrants • Becoming American – Melting Pot • A place where cultures blend – Assimilation • The process of blending into society. – Study English – Took Citizenship classes • Some of the foreign cultures blended into American culture.

Immigrants • Prejudice – Protestants feared Catholics and Jews – Many feared immigrants would not fit in – Many people pushed for restrictions on immigration.

Changes in Culture • Education – Schools grew in number as a result of immigration • Laws were passed making school required. – Increased literacy rates in America

Changes in Culture • Literature – An increase in literacy lead to an increase in reading. – Newspapers became more popular. • Joseph Pulitzer – New York World • William Randolph Hearst – New York Morning Journal – Created comic and sports pages.

Changes in Culture • Entertainment – Leisure – Free Time • New Parks were created – Central Park – New York • First Amusement Parks were built – Coney Island – New York • World’s Fairs – 1876 -1916 – Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis – Show off American technology – Millions attended

Changes in Culture • Sports – Spectator sports became popular • Baseball. Football, and Boxing – Baseball was the most popular » By 1890, had an organized league.

Changes in Culture • Music and Art – Vaudeville • Variety shows – Combination of song, dance, and comedy. – Ragtime • Blend of African American and European musical forms. – Scott Joplin – Movies • Silent • After 1905 movie theaters became popular.