Urbanization: Life in the cities

1. The Gilded Age 9/18/13 Urbanization: Life in the cities

2. Announcements • Friday Sept 20, 2013 • Quiz over Gilded Age notes • Wednesday Sept 25, 2013 • Exam 1 • Material covered so far • Founding of the USA • Westward Expansion • Civil War/Reconstruction • Gilded Age

3. Bell Ringer • What trends do you see in this chart? • What factors contributed to these trends?

4. Main Ideas: Urbanization Main Idea: During the thirty years following the Civil War, the U.S. transformed rapidly from a rural nation to a more urban one. • Cities grew around immigration and industrial centers • Cities were crowded and living conditions were often unhealthy • Ethnic neighborhoods were established in cities where immigrants settled • Pollution of cities and waterways increased due to overcrowding of cities • Human health and quality of life decreased due to overcrowding

5. Social Issues • Children • Many children worked in factories performing dangerous jobs • They were sometimes paid lower wages than adult workers • Women • Many young women worked in factories that made textiles • They tended to be young and single • Often wages were lower than men’s wages

6. New Urban Environment Boston Subway • Skyscrapers- lack of space; needed to “build up.” • Mass transit - needed to move large numbers of people quickly. Horsecar San Francisco Cable Car Trolley Car

7. Socioeconomic Classes A. High Society - UpperClass 1. Rich; usually lived in the center of the city. 2. Ex: Vanderbilt Mansion B. Middle-Class 1. Fast-growing social group. 2. Doctors, lawyers, engineers, social workers, architects, teachers, etc. 3. Not enough salary to keep up with upper class. C. Working Class 1. Majority 2. Often lived in tenements - crowded multi-family dwellings. 3. Many sent their children to work in factories.

8. Today’s Activity • Fill in the chart on social issues of the Gilded Age • Use your textbook or technology • Work quietly • You may listen to music