Gilded Age Urbanization “Sunshine & Shadow” 1:25 – 5:30 8:00 – 11:00 Wealth pours into NYC Incredible poverty in NYC
Positive Aspects of Urbanization
Cities were centers of invention & transportation
Cities had more jobs
Cities were fun
Cities were centers of culture & education
Cities fostered cultural diversity: “ethnic enclaves”
Problems of Gilded Age Cities Mainly “Laissez Faire” City Governments were often overwhelmed by: Housing Education Clean Water Garbage & Sewage Removal Public Transportation Crime Fire
Tenement Living Conditions
10:30 – 14:00
Private Efforts had some success Ex: Jane Addams Founder of Hull House First US Settlement House
Settlement House Nursery School
City Political Leaders of the Gilded Age Had great difficulty Meeting urban challenges Much of the problem stemmed from various forms of corruption EXAMPLES: Graft Patronage Kickbacks
Example: NYC’s “Boss Tweed” 11:25-14:00 0:00 – 9:00