Toward an Urban Society 1877‒1900

Toward an Urban Society 1877‒1900

Toward an Urban Society, 1877‒1900
19.1 The Lure of the City Why did cities in the United States grow between 1880 and 1900? Social and Cultural Change, 1877‒1900 How did growth of American cities affect social, cultural, and political life? 19.2

Toward an Urban Society, 1877‒1900
The Spread of Jim Crow Why did Jim Crow laws spread across the South after the end of Reconstruction? The Stirrings of Reform How did life in the growing cities lead to ideas of reform? 19.3 19.4

Video Series: Key Topics in U.S. History
An Urban Society The New American City Boss Tweed Plessy v. Ferguson Home

The Overcrowded City Cities grew
People lured by glitter and excitement, friends and relatives already there, and jobs and higher wages Size increased sevenfold, compared to rural growth, which doubled Became center of American economic, social, and cultural life Lecture Outline: Cities grew People lured by glitter and excitement, friends and relatives already there, and jobs and higher wages Size increased sevenfold, compared to rural growth, which doubled Not from natural growth High rates of infant mortality Declining fertility rate High death rate from injury and disease Many newcomers came from rural America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia 1880s - migration of African Americans from rural South to northern cities Became center of American economic, social, and cultural life Home

Lecture Outline: Image: Life in the Slums - The kitchen of a tenement apartment was often a multipurpose room. Here the tenement dwellers prepared and ate their meals; the room might also serve as a workroom, and sleeping quarters for one or more members of the family. Source: © The Museum of the City of New York, The Byron Collection. Home

The Lure of the City Skyscrapers and Suburbs
Tenements and the Problems of Overcrowding Strangers in a New Land Immigrants and the City Urban Political Machines Learning Objective: Why did cities in the United States grow between 1880 and 1900? Home

The Lure of the City City - symbol of the new America between 1870–1900 Similar to the symbol of the factory Explosive urban growth Sources included immigration, movement from countryside Six cities over 500,000 by 1900 One third of American population by 1900 Lecture Outline: City - symbol of the new America between 1870–1900 Similar to the symbol of the factory Explosive urban growth Sources included immigration, movement from countryside Six cities over 500,000 by 1900 New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia had populations over one million One third of American population by 1900 The Lure of the City

Skyscrapers and Suburbs
04/06/98 Skyscrapers Replaced small buildings – twelve or fewer stories Design changes Streetcars Allowed growth of suburbs More fragmented and stratified city Lecture Outline: Skyscrapers Replaced small buildings – twelve or fewer stories Design changes Windows to let in light Chicago architects – Root and Sullivan Helped rebuild after fire in 1871 destroyed much of city Stripped-down style – modern architecture Office towers Electric elevators Streetcars Allowed growth of suburbs More fragmented and stratified city Middle-class residential rings surrounding business and working-class core The Lure of the City 2 2 2 2

The Lure of the City Lecture Outline:
Image: The Wainwright Building (1890) in St. Louis, Missouri, was designed by Chicago architect Louis Sullivan. The 10-story red brick office building was one of the first skyscrapers in the world and had many of the modern design features found in Sullivan’s buildings of this period. The Lure of the City

Tenements and the Problems of Overcrowding
04/06/98 Tenements housed working class James Ware and dumbbell design City problems Overcrowding Inadequate sanitation Poor ventilation Polluted water Crime Street gangs Lecture Outline: Tenements housed working class James Ware and dumbbell design 7‒8 stories high, 30 four-room apartments on a 25-by-100-foot lot 4‒16 families on each floor with two toilets in the hall of each floor Shaped like a dumbbell – narrow in the middle Tenement problems Overcrowding 1890 – almost half of New York dwellings were tenements Many people lived in alleys and basements Inadequate sanitation Horse manure in streets Outdoor toilets Poor ventilation Factories polluted the air Polluted water Cities dumped wastes into nearest body of water Drinking water from same source Crime Street gangs Youth gangs in the slums The Lure of the City 3 3 3 3

What Characterized U.S. Population Patterns in 1900?
What were the population densities of various U.S. regions? Where had members of major immigrant communities settled by 1900? In what parts of the United States were African Americans concentrated at this point? The Lure of the City

Image: A group of passengers on deck of USS Amsterdam. The Lure of the City

Strangers in a New Land Immigrant rates grew
04/06/98 Immigrant rates grew From Europe New immigrants Demographics Port of entry Increasing percentages Resurgence of anti-Catholicism and anti-Semitism Lecture Outline: Immigrant rates grew From Europe Fled unemployment, food shortages, and threats of war Often knew someone in the United States New immigrants From 1880s, increasing numbers of immigrants from southern and eastern Europe Italy, Greece, Austria‒Hungary, Poland, and Russia Catholics or Jews rather than Protestants Poor and uneducated Clung to native customs, languages, and religions in close-knit communities Demographics Most were male between 15 and 40 years of age Most were job seekers and unskilled laborers Port of entry Ellis Island in New York Entry point for four of every ten immigrants Galveston, Texas Many Russian Jews moved to Texas and the Southwest Increasing percentages four-fifths of Chicago’s population, two-thirds of Boston’s, and one-half of Philadelphia’s was foreign born or of foreign-born parentage New York City had more Italians than Naples, more Germans than Hamburg, and twice as many Irish as Dublin Resurgence of anti-Catholicism and anti-Semitism American Protective Association – expanded in 1890s Worked to limit or end immigration Immigration Restriction League – founded in 1894 Wanted a literacy test for immigrants from southern and eastern Europe Key Terms: new immigrants: Starting in the 1880s, immigration into the United States began to shift from northern and western Europe to southern and eastern Europe. These new immigrants were mostly poor, non-Protestant, and unskilled; they tended to stay in close-knit communities and retain their language, customs, and religions. Between 1880 and 1910, approximately 8.4 million of these so-called new immigrants came to the United States. The Lure of the City 4 4 4 4

Image: Map 19.1 Foreign-Born Population, Immigrants tended to settle in regions where jobs were relatively plentiful or conditions were similar to those in their homelands. Cities of the Northeast, Midwest, and West offered job opportunities, while land available for cultivation drew immigrant farmers to the plains and prairies of the nation’s midsection. The Lure of the City

Figure 19.1 Immigration to the United States, 1870–1900
Lecture Outline: Image: Figure 19.1 Immigration to the United States, 1870– Note: For purposes of classification, “Northern and Western Europe” includes Great Britain, Ireland, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, France, and Germany. “Southern and Eastern Europe” includes Poland, Austria–Hungary, Russia and the Baltic States, Romania, Bulgaria, European Turkey, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece. “Asia, Africa, and America” includes Asian Turkey, China, Japan, India, Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America, and all of Africa. Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970, Bicentennial Edition, Washington, D.C., 1975 The Lure of the City

Immigrants and the City
04/06/98 Immigrant families Family structure similar to native-born Growing families Immigrant associations Preserved old-country language and customs Aided the process of adjustment Lecture Outline: Immigrant families Family structure similar to native-born Similar gender roles Growing families Immigrants married within own ethnic groups More children born to immigrants than to native-born Americans Worried nativists Immigrant associations Preserved old-country language and customs Kept language, religion Roman Catholic Church for Irish and Poles Spiritual and educational guidance Established parochial or other schools Taught languages, such as Hebrew Read own newspapers Cities had dozens of foreign-language newspapers Carried news of homeland Reports on local ethnic leaders Practical tips How to vote and become citizens Aided the process of adjustment Helped in finding jobs Provided services, such as unemployment insurance and health insurance The Lure of the City 4 4 4 4

Urban Political Machines
04/06/98 Urban political party machines Provided services for cities Headed by “bosses” Model: William Tweed, New York City Role of political bosses Why bosses stayed in power Role of bosses can be overemphasized Many people and institutions involved in governing cities Lecture Outline: Urban political party machines Provided services for cities Opportunity for corruption and greed Headed by “bosses” Linked network of ward and precinct captains Some bosses notoriously corrupt Model: William Tweed, New York City Served as city alderman, member of Congress, and New York State assemblyman Model of corruption Took tens of millions of dollars Role of political bosses Governing the city was complex Provided water and sewer lines, built parks, paved streets, city planning Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park in New York Required coordination and organization Most traded services for votes Why bosses stayed in power Skillful political organization Helped immigrants Little experience with democratic government Easy prey for political machines Provided services needed by city dwellers Government and businesses would not help Found jobs, food, and clothing for new arrivals Role of bosses can be overemphasized Many people and institutions involved in governing cities Banks, real estate investors, insurance companies, architects, engineers The Lure of the City 4 4 4 4

The Lure of the City Link to MyHistoryLab asset:
Watch the Video, “Democracy and Corruption: The Rise of Political Machines” Lecture Outline: Image: This political cartoon skewers the success of political bosses, such as the depicted Boss (William) Tweed of New York, to manipulate the political process and use patronage to enrich themselves and retain political power in various cities during this period. The Lure of the City

Discussion Question Why did cities in the United States grow between 1880 and 1900? Lecture Outline: American cities grew by leaps and bounds in the two decades after Among the reasons for the growth were the needs of an industrializing society; technological change in the form of electricity, elevators, steel beams, and other advances; and the arrival of millions of immigrants. Politically, city bosses responded to the needs of immigrants and other urban voters, keeping themselves in power. The Lure of the City

Social and Cultural Change, 1877‒1900
Manners and Mores Leisure and Entertainment Changes in Family Life Changing Views: A Growing Assertiveness Among Women Educating the Masses Higher Education Learning Objective: How did growth of American cities affect social, cultural, and political life? Home

Industry and cities brought change Cultural changes Population growth Rural population still higher than urban Changing eating habits Medical science Lecture Outline: Industry and cities brought change Cultural changes More leisure time Consumerism Decline of illiteracy Increased life expectancy Population growth 1877: 47 million 1900: 76 million 1900: population more diverse Rural population still higher than urban Changing eating habits Food was cheap Packaged and canned food Fresh fruit and vegetables from West and South Icebox Medical science Louis Pasteur – germs cause infection Vaccines Tuberculosis, typhoid, diphtheria, and pneumonia still leading causes of death Few hospitals and no hospital insurance Most patients stayed at home Surgery expanded Anesthetics and antiseptics Psychology developed Behavioral psychology – importance of environment Social and Cultural Change, 1877‒1900

Manners and Mores Victorian morality Dictated dress, manners, sexual behavior Children to be seen and not heard Uniformity in middle-class clothing Strong patriotic and religious values New moral and political issues Mugwumps Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) Lecture Outline: Victorian morality Dictated dress, manners, sexual behavior Children to be seen and not heard Older children - minor misbehaviors Played spin the bottle, snuck cigarettes Counterbalanced by pride in virtue and self-control Uniformity in middle-class clothing Gentlemen – black suits, derby hats, white shirts with paper collars Women – tight corsets, long dark dresses, black shoes New sporting fads brought changes in styles Golf, tennis, bicycling – looser clothing Strong patriotic and religious values Church was center of community life 1880s – Eight out of ten were Protestants New moral and political issues Mugwumps Worked to end political corruption Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) Campaigned to end sale of liquor Frances E. Willard – president of group Key Terms: Mugwumps: Educated and upper-class reformers who crusaded for lower tariffs, limited federal government, and civil service reform. They were best known for helping elect Grover Cleveland president in 1884. Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU): This organization campaigned to end drunkenness and the social ills that accompanied it. By 1898, it had 10,000 branches and 500,000 members. The WCTU illustrated the role women played in politics and reform long before they won the right to vote. Social and Cultural Change, 1877‒1900

Leisure and Entertainment
Domestic leisure Gathered in the “second parlor” Games popular Music – ballads, ragtime, classical Entertainment outside home Fairs, horse races, balloon ascensions, bicycle tournaments Organized spectator sports Street lights and streetcars Lecture Outline: Domestic leisure Gathered in the “second parlor” Children did lessons, played games, sang around piano, listened to daily Bible verse Games and educational activities popular Cards, dominoes, backgammon, chess, and checkers Author cards Required knowledge of books, authors, quotations Stereopticon Three-dimensional pictures related to art, history, and nature Music – ballads, ragtime, classical Sentimental ballads most popular, but ragtime reflected urban influence Scott Joplin – Maple Leaf Rag Critics complained it was vulgar Classical music flourished Metropolitan Opera, New England Conservatory, Cincinnati College of Music Symphony orchestras in major cities Entertainment outside home Fairs, horse races, balloon ascensions, bicycle tournaments Organized spectator sports Baseball, football, basketball First professional baseball team – Cincinnati Red Stockings in 1869 1869 – first intercollegiate football game between Princeton and Rutgers Street lights and streetcars Made evening a time for entertainment and pleasure Theatre, vaudeville shows, dance halls, strolls around town People stayed home less often Social and Cultural Change, 1877‒1900

Changes in Family Life Working-class families Work life changed On farm, worked together In city, worked separately for long hours Lived in complex units Relatives and boarders taken in to help with rent Retained strong family ties Fostered by need to survive in industrial economy Lecture Outline: Working-class families Work life changed On farm, worked together In city, worked separately for long hours Lived in complex units Relatives and boarders taken in to help with rent Retained strong family ties Fostered by need to survive in industrial economy Social and Cultural Change, 1877‒1900

Changes in Family Life (continued)
Middle-class families Women and children grew isolated Suburban commute took fathers from middle-class homes Formal schooling lengthened Domesticity encouraged White middle-class birth rates declined Lecture Outline: Middle-class families Women and children grew isolated Suburban commute took fathers from middle-class homes Formal schooling lengthened Domesticity encouraged Women housebound, child-oriented consumers Ladies’ Home Journal – magazines glorified motherhood and home White middle-class birth rates declined Marrying later and having fewer children Contraceptives not widely available Abstinence and conscious decision to postpone or limit families Social and Cultural Change, 1877‒1900

Changing Views: A Growing Assertiveness Among Women
“New women” Seen as corruption of ideal vision Changes in legal codes Demand for changes Fight for vote and equal payment Wanted self-fulfillment Supported by psychology and medicine National American Woman Suffrage Association Lecture Outline: “New women” Seen as corruption of ideal vision Innocent, helpless, and good Changes in legal codes Femme couverte changed Traditional view - wives were husbands’ chattel Could not control earnings, property, or children unless had a contract outside of marriage Woman controls earnings and inherited property Divorce rights Custody or joint custody of children Divorce still not socially acceptable Demand for changes Fight for vote and equal payment Wanted self-fulfillment Supported by psychology and medicine Charlotte Perkins Gilman Innocence means ignorance Spoke openly about once-forbidden topics Menstruation, sexual intercourse, and childbirth National American Woman Suffrage Association Susan B. Anthony Worked for enfranchisement of women Key Terms: National American Woman Suffrage Association: Founded by Susan B. Anthony in 1890, this organization worked to secure women the right to vote. It stressed careful organization and peaceful lobbying. Social and Cultural Change, 1877‒1900

Educating the Masses Trend toward universal education Grew from changing role of children Purpose of education To train people for life and work in industrializing society Variations in schooling Boys and girls - differences North and South - differences Lecture Outline: Trend toward universal education Grew from changing role of children Childhood becoming more distinct time of life Children to be valued for more than financial gain states and territories made school compulsory Most required attendance only until age 14 Average adult still had only five years of schooling Purpose of education To train people for life and work in industrializing society Focus on basic skills (reading, math) and values (obedience and attentiveness to clock) Built around discipline and routine Variations in schooling Boys and girls - differences Girls often stayed home after lunch; thought to need less learning Both often dropped out of school from dislike or to earn money North and South - differences South lagged behind: family size twice as large, more rural population, shorter school year Segregated school systems Social and Cultural Change, 1877‒1900

Educating the Masses (continued)
Segregation in education Civil Rights Cases Plessy v. Ferguson 1899 – Cumming v. County Board of Education Lecture Outline: Segregation in education Civil Rights Cases Supreme Court ruling that Fourteenth Amendment barred state governments, but not private individuals or organizations, from discriminating based on race Plessy v. Ferguson An 1896 Supreme Court ruling Established “separate but equal” doctrine 1899 -Cumming v. County Board of Education Supreme Court applied Plessy to schools Approved creation of separate schools for whites even without comparable schools for blacks Key Terms: Civil Rights Cases: A group of cases in 1883 in which the Supreme Court ruled that the Fourteenth Amendment barred state governments from discriminating on the basis of race but did not prevent private individuals or organizations from doing so. The ruling dealt a major blow to efforts to protect African Americans. Plessy v. Ferguson: A Supreme Court case in 1896 that established the doctrine of “separate but equal.” The Court applied it to schools in Cumming v. County Board of Education (1899). The doctrine was finally overturned in 1954, in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. Social and Cultural Change, 1877‒1900

Higher Education 04/06/98 Colleges and universities flourished Greater emphasis on professions and research More women achieved college education African Americans usually confined to all-black institutions Tuskegee Institute in Alabama Lecture Outline: Colleges and universities flourished Greater emphasis on professions and research More women achieved college education Vassar, Wellesley, Smith, Bryn Mawr, Barnard, Radcliffe Land grant colleges of the West open to women Trend toward coeduction African Americans usually confined to all-black institutions Tuskegee Institute in Alabama Manual training Booker T. Washington Social and Cultural Change, 1877‒1900 5 5 5 5

Higher Education (continued)
04/06/98 Booker T. Washington Atlanta Compromise W.E.B. DuBois Studied sociology Disagreed with Atlanta Compromise Demanded quality, integrated education Trend toward careers in professions Medicine, dentistry, law Lecture Outline: Booker T. Washington Atlanta Compromise Focused on economic gains rather than social equality Concentrated on practical education Acknowledged white domination Worked behind the scenes for black equality Organized black voters Lobbied against harmful laws W.E.B. DuBois Studied sociology Published study on effect of urban life on blacks Environment more an impact than genetics Disagreed with Atlanta Compromise Urged African Americans to aspire to professional careers, fight for civil rights, and get a college education Demanded quality, integrated education Talented tenth Trend toward careers in professions Medicine, dentistry, law Social and Cultural Change, 1877‒1900 5 5 5 5

Link to MyHistoryLab asset: Read the Document, “Morrill Act (1862)” Lecture Outline: Image: The Morrill Land Grant Act of 1862 gave large grants of land to the states for the establishment of colleges to teach “agriculture and the mechanic arts.” The act, sponsored by U.S. Representative Justin Smith Morrill of Vermont, facilitated the creation of 69 “land-grant” institutions, including the state universities of California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Social and Cultural Change, 1877‒1900

Link to MyHistoryLab asset: Read the Document, “W.E.B. du Bois, The Talented Tenth (1903)” Lecture Outline: Image: Educational Opportunities for African Americans - Booker T. Washington, who served as the first president of Tuskegee Institute, advocated work efficiency and practical skills as keys to advancement for African Americans. Students like these at Tuskegee studied academic subjects and received training in trades and professions. Social and Cultural Change, 1877‒1900

Discussion Question How did the growth of American cities affect social, cultural, and political life? Lecture Outline: The rapid growth of cities spawned important changes in the way Americans thought and acted. Cities opened up large new areas of entertainment, employment, and behavior. They reshaped the family, brought women more and more into the workforce, and led to a greater emphasis on education. Social and Cultural Change, 1877‒1900

The Spread of Jim Crow Segregation and disfranchisement grew
Voting, education, housing, jobs North and federal government did little to stem the tide Jim Crow laws - all aspects of the South Violence also spread Lynching increased Convict lease system Racism also in North Blacks called it James Crow Learning Objective: Why did Jim Crow laws spread across the South after the end of Reconstruction? Lecture Outline: Segregation and disfranchisement grew Voting, education, housing, jobs North and federal government did little to stem the tide Lack of motivation Tired of Civil War issues Believed in Anglo-Saxon superiority Acquisition of colonial subjects after Spanish‒American War Supreme Court decisions Gutted Reconstruction amendments Left blacks defenseless against political and social discrimination Plessy v. Ferguson most well-known Upheld “separate but equal” accommodations Jim Crow laws - all aspects of the South Blacks and whites could not work together, use same bathroom facilities or water Different textbooks for blacks and whites Hospitals had separate rooms and nurses Could not play games together Violence also spread Lynching increased Convict lease system Convicts forced to work for companies at very low wages to pay off fines Racism also in North Blacks called it James Crow New York public schools banned Uncle Tom’s Cabin Race riots Home

Table 19.1 Supreme Court Decisions Affecting Black Civil Rights, 1875–1900
Lecture Outline: Image: Table 19.1 Supreme Court Decisions Affecting Black Civil Rights , 1875–1900 The Spread of Jim Crow

The Spread of Jim Crow Lecture Outline:
Image: Lynching - Perhaps no event better expresses the cruel and barbaric nature of the racism and white supremacy that swept the South after Reconstruction than lynching. Although lynchings were not confined to the South, most occurred there, and African American men were the most frequent victims. Here two men lean out of a barn window above a black man who is about to be hanged. Others below prepare to set on fire the pile of hay at the victim’s feet. Lynchings were often public events, drawing huge crowds to watch the victim’s agonizing death. The Spread of Jim Crow

Discussion Question Why did Jim Crow laws spread across the South after the end of Reconstruction? Lecture Outline: After Reconstruction ended in 1877, northern weariness with Civil War issues, a series of Supreme Court decisions, and growing racism led the federal government to stop trying to uphold civil rights legislation in the South. This enabled southern states and cities to pass and enforce Jim Crow laws that mandated rigid separation between blacks and whites. The Spread of Jim Crow

The Stirrings of Reform
Progress and Poverty New Currents in Social Thought The Settlement Houses A Crisis in Social Welfare Learning Objective: How did life in the growing cities lead to ideas of reform? Home

Social Darwinism Argued against usefulness of reform Applied natural selection to society Influential followers Came under increasing attack Lecture Outline: Social Darwinism Argued against usefulness of reform Applied natural selection to society Social selection – society evolves by adapting to environment “Survival of the fittest” – coined by Spencer Influential followers William Graham Sumner Professor at Yale, one of best-known academics Argued government action to help the poor interfered with evolution Came under increasing attack Key Terms: social Darwinism: Adapted by English social philosopher Herbert Spencer from Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, this theory held that the “laws” of evolution applied to human life, that change or reform therefore took centuries, and that the “fittest” would succeed in business and social relationships. It promoted competition and individualism, saw government intervention into human affairs as futile, and was used by the economic and social elite to oppose reform. The Stirrings of Reform

Progress and Poverty 04/06/98 Henry George’s Progress and Poverty Saw modern society as flawed Proposed solution: Tax the land, as it is source of wealth Analysis had more impact than solution Raised questions for next generation Lecture Outline: Henry George’s Progress and Poverty Saw modern society as flawed Labor upheavals Great railroad strikes of 1877 Growing social divide The rich getting richer, the poor, poorer Proposed solution: Tax the land, as it is source of wealth Represents unearned increment that should be taxed for good of society Single tax would replace all other taxes “single-tax” clubs sprang up around the country Would help equalize wealth and raise revenue to aid poor Analysis had more impact than solution Raised questions for next generation The Stirrings of Reform 5 5 5 5

New Currents in Social Thought
Clarence Darrow Rejected Social Darwinism Edward Bellamy’s Looking Backward Socialist utopia Social Gospel Challenged traditional doctrines that poor to blame for own poverty Focused on improving living conditions as well as saving souls Lecture Outline: Clarence Darrow Rejected Social Darwinism Argued poverty at crime’s root Edward Bellamy’s Looking Backward Socialist utopia Government owns means of production Citizens share material rewards Cooperation, not competition Limits to utopia Regimented and paternalistic Social Gospel Challenged traditional doctrines that poor to blame for own poverty Focused on improving living conditions as well as saving souls Called on church members to fulfill their social obligations Established missions in city slums Churches provided social as well as religious activities Key Terms: Social Gospel: Preached by urban Protestant ministers, the Social Gospel focused as much on improving the conditions of life on earth as on saving souls for the hereafter. Its adherents worked for child-labor laws and measures to alleviate poverty. The Stirrings of Reform

Link to MyHistoryLab asset: Read the Document, “Edward Bellamy, from ‘Looking Backward’ (1887)” Lecture Outline: Image: Edward Bellamy was the author in 1887 of Looking Backward, 2000–1887. The book envisioned a nation cured of its social problems through the creation of a socialist utopia including the elimination of private competition and government ownership of industry. The Stirrings of Reform

The Settlement Houses Settlement houses Social workers provided community services in slum areas Famous houses Characteristics Many workers women Classical and practical education for the poor Social services Limits - resentment Black settlement houses Lecture Outline: Settlement houses Social workers provided community services in slum areas Based on Toynbee Hall in London More than 400 houses by 1910 Famous houses Stanton Coit’s Neighborhood Guild, New York Jane Addams’s Hull House, Chicago Robert A. Woods’s South End House, Boston Lillian Wald’s Henry Street Settlement, New York Characteristics Many workers women Some college graduates Classical and practical education for the poor Classes in English and Shakespeare, history of art Courses in cooking, sewing, and manual skills Reading rooms Social services Medical clinics Showers and bathhouses Limits - resentment Workers seen as strangers and middle-class authority figures Immigrants sometimes resented being told by them how to live Black settlement houses Most white reformers did not offer programs for blacks Black reformers opened their own settlements Offered employment information, medical care, recreational facilities, educational events As successful as white houses in making important contributions Key Terms: settlement houses: Located in poor districts, these community centers tried to soften the impact of urban life for immigrant and other families. Often run by young, educated women, they provided social services and a political voice for their neighborhoods. Chicago’s Hull House, founded by Jane Addams in 1889, was the most famous of them. The Stirrings of Reform

Link to MyHistoryLab asset: Read the Document, “Jane Addams, from Twenty Years at Hull House (1910)” Lecture Outline: Image: The Settlement House, a Revolution and Social Reform - Jane Addams founded Chicago’s Hull House in The settlement house provided recreational and day-care facilities; offered extension classes in academic, vocational, and artistic subjects; and, above all, sought to bring hope to poverty-stricken slum dwellers. The Stirrings of Reform

A Crisis in Social Welfare
Depression of 1893 revealed insufficiency of private charity New professionalism in social work New efforts to understand poverty’s sources Increasing calls for government intervention Lecture Outline: Depression of 1893 revealed insufficiency of private charity New professionalism in social work Not just feed the poor, but study their condition and alleviate it Collected data on income, housing, jobs, health, and habits of poor Called themselves “case workers” New efforts to understand poverty’s sources Studies of poor published Increasing calls for government intervention Civil Federation in Chicago led to National Civil Federation in 1900 The Stirrings of Reform

Discussion Question How did life in the growing cities lead to ideas of reform? Lecture Outline: Urban life, which forced many people into closer contact, made visible the problems of life to a degree people had rarely experienced. The city could not hide the contrasts between rich and poor, the dirtiness and dangers of factory life, and the woeful lot of millions of immigrants. Reformers emerged to argue for change. Some of them, like Jane Addams, opened settlement houses in the heart of the city, where they lived among the poor. The Stirrings of Reform

Conclusion: The Pluralistic Society
04/06/98 Immigration and urban growth reshaped American politics and culture By 1920, most Americans lived in cities Culturally pluralistic society emerging Society experienced a crisis between 1870 and 1900 Reformers turned to state and federal government for remedies to social ills Lecture Outline: Immigration and urban growth reshaped American politics and culture By 1920, most Americans lived in cities Almost half of them were descendants of people who arrived after the Revolution Culturally pluralistic society emerging Melting pot softened distinctions, but only partially blended Considered themselves mix – Irish Americans, African Americans, Polish Americans Society experienced a crisis between 1870 and 1900 Reformers turned to state and federal government for remedies to social ills 26 25 25 25

Toward an Urban Society 1877‒1900

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