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AMERICAN SOCIETY IN TRANSITION

AMERICAN SOCIETY IN TRANSITION. URBANIZATION – the growth of cities. Demography – the study of population An important result of industrialization was the rapid expansion of American cities By 1900, 40% of Americans lived in cities and that number was growing.

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AMERICAN SOCIETY IN TRANSITION

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  1. AMERICAN SOCIETY IN TRANSITION

  2. URBANIZATION – the growth of cities • Demography – the study of population • An important result of industrialization was the rapid expansion of American cities • By 1900, 40% of Americans lived in cities and that number was growing

  3. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO URBAN GROWTH • The introduction of new farm machinery (such as Cyrus McCormick’s reaper) reduced farm jobs • Farmers and rural laborers sought work in towns and cities • Industry created new jobs (factories, mines, shipping, workshops) • Cities also provided cultural opportunities and popular entertainments • Immigration in unprecedented levels

  4. McCormick’s Reaper 19th Century Factory Workers Immigrants Factories

  5. RESULTS OF URBANIZATION • Physical changes in the landscape (trees and fields replaced by brick and wood buildings and paved roads) • Cities grew haphazardly (there was little urban planning) • Streets were crowded, pollutions from factories and trains, and sewage sometimes contaminated drinking water • Whole families crowded into tenements (single room apartments) and often had no heat or lighting

  6. CROWDED CITY STREETS TENEMENT BUILDINGS

  7. Political machines • City gov’ts. were often run by corrupt leaders know as political “bosses” • The machines often provided jobs and other services to immigrants and the poor in exchange for votes • Power depended on the ability to dominate voting and control agencies of municipal gov’t. • Often had the support of local business leaders

  8. Continued…(put this on your chart) • By controlling elected officials in local gov’t., bosses were able to hand out jobs to reward loyal workers • They used their control of “city hall” to make illegal profits on city contracts by collecting bribes • While corrupt, political machines did play a useful role • Helped immigrants settle, find jobs and housing • Helped immigrants become citizens • Helped provide city services – streets, water, etc.

  9. Boss Tweed (of Tammany Hall in N.Y. City) • Controlled thousands of city workers and influenced schools, hospitals, and other services • Benefited from the support of Irish immigrants • Controlled or bribed lawmakers to pass laws in favor of his interests • Often overpaid himself on construction projects and land sales

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