1. The turn of the 20th Century
In pictures

2. In 1860, 80% of Americans lived on farms.
By 1900, only 60% of Americans lived on farms.

3. “God’s chosen people…”
…hard working, honest, and humble.

4. Soon farmers began to be lured to the cities for industrial jobs
Soon farmers began to be lured to the cities for industrial jobs. When compared to farming, factory work seemed to be a lot less arduous…

5. Developing urban lifestyles and architecture also had its appeal…

7. By 1900, major cities experienced exponential growth
By 1900, major cities experienced exponential growth. Doubling their populations, and sometimes even multiplying their population 10 fold, in just 40 years.

8. Some of the problems with such fast population growth including crowding…

9. Which lead to “tenement” apartment building in order to maximize space

10. Exterior and interior of tenement apartment buildings
Exterior and interior of tenement apartment buildings. Crowded and unsanitary.

11. The poverty and slums that resulted in major cities was perhaps most heartbreaking. Affluent Americans tended to separate themselves from the urban poor, but would soon be made aware of “How the Other Half Lives” during the Reform movement following the Gilded Age.