THE CHANGING CITY Positives and Negatives

THE CHANGING CITIES  The population increased overnight  People tended to live near others of the same background (religion, language, culture)  All parts of the cities were growing  Some lived in parts of cities that were separate from other areas  The areas for immigrants were known as GHETTOS  A ghetto is a neighborhood where people of the same race, religion, or country live

WHAT WERE THE GHETTOS?  They were usually poor places  Although it was at times a poor place, it was a place for a new start for many immigrants  The new life was not easy for many  They were mistreated, charge higher prices for goods, and a target for hatred

Living in Cities  New York City 1880’s  Times Square How did life in the cities change? - Living Conditions - Unsafe Workplaces - Fire - And Crime

HOUSING  There were not enough places for people to live  Tenements were built to provide homes for people  A tenement is an apartment house with poor safety, sanitation and comfort conditions  They were poorly built, cramped rooms, with little light or air  They were in neighborhoods that were dirty and crowded  There was lots of noise, rotting garbage, bugs and rats  This led to illness and disease

Tenement House- NYC Circa 1870

UNSAFE WORKPLACES  Most jobs were factory jobs  They worked long hours with little pay  The buildings were poorly lit with little fresh air  Machines were dangerous  No safety rules  Workplaces usually had no safety equipment  Injuries and even deaths occurred  Children worked in the factories

FIRE!!!!!  In the cities fire was a danger  If a fire broke out in the factory, you were lucky to get out  No tall ladders, no sprinklers, old fire escapes led to dangerous conditions

Crime….. Oh no!!!!  A big problem in the poor, crowded, cities  Gangs were attacking people  Stealing was a way of life  Crime was too much for the police to handle

WITH BAD THERE IS GOOD  There were good things happening in the cities:  Public Schools  Colleges  Museums  Libraries  Theaters  Shops and Sports fields