Urbanization After 1865
Objectives Explain why cities grew in the late 1800s. Describe the problems city dwellers faced and the efforts to improve city life. Identify the attractions and leisure activities cities offered.
Terms and People urbanization – the rapid growth of city populations tenement – building divided into many tiny apartments Jane Addams – reformer who worked to help poor city dwellers settlement house – center offering help to the urban poor
What were the causes and effects of the rapid growth of cities? During the late 1800s, cities were places of excitement, new ideas, and entertainment. For the urban poor, however, they were also places of misery.
The new Industrial Revolution was a time of frenzied growth—for businesses, factories, and cities. City populations soared as many people left farm life behind.
Many fast-growing cities were located near waterways because they provided an easy way to transport goods.
New technology also supported rapid urbanization. Changing technology led to dramatic improvements in public transportation. Elevated trains Electric streetcars Subways Steel bridges Urban transportation
Public transportation encouraged cities to expand outward and allowed people to commute from the suburbs.
New technology, like elevators, helped cities expand upward as well. Skyscrapers soon towered over city skylines.
City Most of the people moving to cities were looking for jobs. All types of people, including farmers, immigrants, and African Americans from the South, came to work in the cities. Farmers Immigrants City African Americans
Fast growth, however, created many problems. Life in city tenements was dismal. Often, people crowded together in a single room with no windows, heat, or plumbing. 11
A fire broke out in Chicago in 1871 and left 18,000 homeless. Life in cities could be dangerous—even deadly. Overcrowding Garbage Urban problems Disease Fire A fire broke out in Chicago in 1871 and left 18,000 homeless. Babies were especially at risk and often died before they reached their first birthday. 12
In the 1880s, many cities began to make changes to improve urban life.
Religious leaders and reformers like Jane Addams also worked to help the urban poor. Helped the homeless Opened settlement houses Worked to outlaw child labor Set up hospitals and clinics
Despite their problems, cities offered many benefits. One of the biggest attractions was shopping. Elegant new department stores offered many different goods under one roof.
Football was also popular, although it was more dangerous. Another source of entertainment in bigger cities was professional sports teams. Baseball was the most popular sport, with games attracting thousands of fans. Basketball was invented in 1891 and quickly became a popular indoor sport. Football was also popular, although it was more dangerous.
As the division between work and play became stricter, cities began to provide a wide variety of entertainment and leisure activities. Museums Theaters Orchestras Zoos Parks These places of leisure allowed city dwellers to enjoy art, performances, green grass, and cleaner air.