Life in the Cities 8-3

City Growth 1880 rural population = 74%1880 rural population = 74% 1910s rural population = 54%1910s rural population = 54% Great Migration of southern blacksGreat Migration of southern blacks –2 phases (1890, 1910s) – movement of southern blacks to northern and Midwestern cities. Advances in transportation –Suburbs – Kingwood Skyscrapers & elevators –Buildings can be taller and cites can be more dense

Where do poor people live? TenementsTenements –Low-cost apartment buildings designed to house as many families as the owner could pack in Severe overcrowding Few trees, little grass Dark, foul air from coal engines & boilers Open sewers attracted rats (diseases) Small fires become large fires quickly Contagious diseases spread easily

“Late one night, when we were all in bed, Mrs. O'Leary lit a lantern in the shed. Her cow kicked it over, Then winked her eye and said, "There'll be a hot time in the old town tonight!"

How can we improve this? “Lack of ventilation = main problem” Solution = dumbbell tenementsSolution = dumbbell tenements –Court wasted because of trash

Do we just not know about it? 1.Uncle Tom’s Cabin (slaves) 2.A Century of Dishonor (Indians) 3.How the Other Half Lives (urban poor) Jacob Riis, reporter, publishes book in 1890 Describes living conditions in cities Led to legislation to improve tenements

New Entertainment chapter 9, section 2

FlowchartIndustrialization Urbanization Recreation New Commercial Recreation Industry

Vaudeville / Minstrel Show VaudevilleVaudeville –Inexpensive variety show –Comic sketches ( racial/ethnic humor ), song/dance, magic acts Minstrel ShowsMinstrel Shows –Blackface ( perpetuation of black stereotypes )

Vaudeville and Minstrel Shows Vaudeville – inexpensive variety shows, racial/ethnic humor Minstrel Shows – Performed in blackface and perpetuated black stereotypes