AMERICAN SOCIETY IN TRANSITION

 Demography – the study of population  An important result of industrialization was the rapid expansion of American cities  By 1900, 40% of Americans lived in cities and that number was growing URBANIZATION – THE GROWTH OF CITIES

 The introduction of new farm machinery (such as Cyrus McCormick’s reaper) reduced farm jobs  Farmers and rural laborers sought work in towns and cities  Industry created new jobs (factories, mines, shipping, workshops)  Cities also provided cultural opportunities and popular entertainments  Immigration in unprecedented levels CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO URBAN GROWTH

McCormick’s Reaper 19 th Century Factory Workers Factories Immigrants

 Physical changes in the landscape (trees and fields replaced by brick and wood buildings and paved roads)  Cities grew haphazardly (there was little urban planning)  Streets were crowded, pollutions from factories and trains, and sewage sometimes contaminated drinking water  Whole families crowded into tenements (single room apartments) and often had no heat or lighting RESULTS OF URBANIZATION

CROWDED CITY STREETS TENEMENT BUILDINGS

 City gov’ts. were often run by corrupt leaders know as political “bosses”  The machines often provided jobs and other services to immigrants and the poor in exchange for votes  Power depended on the ability to dominate voting and control agencies of municipal gov’t.  Often had the support of local business leaders POLITICAL MACHINES

 By controlling elected officials in local gov’t., bosses were able to hand out jobs to reward loyal workers  They used their control of “city hall” to make illegal profits on city contracts by collecting bribes  While corrupt, political machines did play a useful role  Helped immigrants settle, find jobs and housing  Helped immigrants become citizens  Helped provide city services – streets, water, etc. CONTINUED…( PUT THIS ON YOUR CHART )

 Controlled thousands of city workers and influenced schools, hospitals, and other services  Benefited from the support of Irish immigrants  Controlled or bribed lawmakers to pass laws in favor of his interests  Often overpaid himself on construction projects and land sales BOSS TWEED (OF TAMMANY HALL IN N.Y. CITY)