Life at the Turn of the 20th Century
Agenda 1. Bell Ringer: What are positive and negative effects of the political machine such as Tammany Hall? (5 minutes) 2. Notes: Science, Urban Life, and Expanding Education (25 minutes) 3. Wellesley Course Catalog in 1903. (15 minutes) 4. The Century: America’s Time, The Beginning (39 minutes) 5. Closure and Questions HW: Test on 2/20/2018, study guide comes out online and in class on Wednesday 2/14.
Technology and City Life Emergence of Skyscrapers led to denser cities, building upward instead of outward. Regulations on setbacks had to be created to allow for sunlight to still hit city streets. Richmond, VA has first electric transit system. Subways and Elevated trains assist in commuting for the masses entering the city New city plans were needed to meet the needs of urban dwellers.
New Technology Electric Printing Press and new pulp techniques led to cheaper and more numerous newspapers. Orville and Wilber Wright would fly the first airplane at Kitty Hawk, NC. Eastham founded the Kodak Company to increase the use of new technology in photography.
Public Education Law created had public schooling for 12-16 weeks and from ages 8-14. No standards for teachers or lessons, so education varied. Discrimination still present. 62% of white students attended school, while only 34% of African Americans. By 1900, high school became more common from the needs of industrialism. Science, Civics, History Girls were offered courses in secretarial work, boys in industrial labor.
Higher Education Only 2.3 percent of students attended college. Research Universities emerged, and a medical curriculum was established. African Americans had some university opportunities through Howard and Fisk College. Booker T Washington felt racism would decrease as African Americans acquired labor skills and became part of the economy. Founded the Tuskegee Institute W.E.B. Du Bios disagreed with Washington, claiming African Americans needed a liberal education as part of the Niagara Movement.