INDUSTRIALIZATION

And the problems that result…

In 1860, only 16% of Americans lived in communities of more than 8,000 people. By 1900, 32% of Americans lived in cities with populations more than 50,000.

URBANIZATION = A movement from rural living to urban; or moving from farms to cities.

Industrialization Job opportunity▪ For women too!

New innovationsImmigrationRural-to-urban Migrants

Greater demands to provide water, sewers, schools, and safety Building codes, electric trolleys and subways, etc.

Skyscrapers—provided space in cities that had no room left on the ground Made possible by steel and elevators!

Urban Transit/Mass Transit Streetcars, subways Led to creation of suburbs!

Class divide Wealthy & Middle Class can move to the suburbs; poorest are left in the cities

Poor housing Tenements= low-cost multifamily housing designed to squeeze in as many families as possible▪ Unhealthy. Dangerous.

Sanitation Filthy conditions Gov’ts began trying to improve water, sewer systems

Fire, crime, and conflict 1871 Chicago Fire▪ Professional Firefighting teams

Dangerous streets▪ Professional uniformed police forces

Racial & Ethnic conflict▪ Defined neighborhood life

PROS

Offered opportunity for wage work Immigrants, farmers New opportunities for women

Standard of living increased as people could afford greater comforts due to mass production

City life offered entertainment, education opportunity, etc.

CONS

Child labor Poor working conditions

Class divide Poor living conditions