Adjusting to Industrialization

Urbanization Cities grew along with the factories that sprang up there With all the factories in cities, there was a large number of jobs there People therefore moved to these cities to work in these factories From farms elsewhere in country From other countries This process is known as urbanization 1880 – 25% lived in cities 1900 – 40% >50%

Negatives of Urbanization Housing Most people lived in tenements where multiple families lived Working class people who had little money lived in these crowded conditions Neighberhoods of these tenements turned into slums and crime was prevalent in these places Health The crowding in these cities helped to spread disease Water and sanitation systems were not designed for the large populations The poor working class could not afford health care or a good diet Politics Political machines often took control of government in these cities Did this by helping poor and immigrants in return for votes This led to increased corruption Took money for themselves and “friends”

Positives of Urbanization Technologies Had to utilize new technologies in cities Developed mass transportation – subways, elevated trains, street cars Steel and elevators made skyscrapers possible Gas and electric lights made cities safer Forced to develop new water and sanitation systems Cultural Advances Building of new museums, concert halls, theaters, and parks Spread of newspapers, magazines, and novels Mark Twain Horation Alger Improved Schools Community Improvement Reformers tried to fix problems in cities and societies Jane Addams started Hull House Settlement house meant to help the poor Political reformers tried to get rid of political machines so money could be spent on services

Workers and the Poor Largest group in cities Where most immigrants fell Lived in slums and poor neighborhoods Company towns were owned by single employer where workers worked and lived Dependent on employer for everything Lacked time and money to take advantage of positives that cities offered

Middle Class Consisted of doctors, lawyers, office workers, and skilled laborers This class grew at the time Better housing Had enough money and time to take advantage of cities Attend concerts and sporting events Could buy new products being made in the factories Cars, sewing machines, phonographs Could save money for higher education for children

Wealthy Entrepreneurs and wealthy business owners also lived in the cities Smallest part of urban population Lived either in mansions or nice apartment buildings Could afford to donate to charities and cultural institutions like libraries or music halls Could enjoy cities the most

Changes For Women Most Americans had always held the ideal American woman as someone who was devoted to home and family to instill moral values. Only wealthy women had ability to devote time to this though During industrialization more women began working outside for economic necessity and some for larger role in society Many of the women who got jobs outside the home but were still expected to take care of the home and children

Jobs for Women Many working class women took jobs in factories or related to recent technologies that had been developed. Middle and upper class women also got jobs Most had been active in reform movements such as abolition and temperance Some had attended college Took these experiences to work place Became teachers, social workers, doctors, and lawyers

Conditions in the Work Place Women who worked often were met with hostility, laws barring them from certain jobs, and unequal pay Women wanted to solve these problems so had to do them through legal means Had to get right to vote first Suffrage movement grew during this time

Other Groups Employers also discriminated against African Americans and those who were older or disabled Either wouldn’t hire or pay them less No laws to protect children from dangerous and unhealthy work in mines and factories Families often had to send children to work instead of school to survive though