The Middle Class

10th Grade American History

Learning Target: Explain the effects of the emergence of a middle class

and its impact on leisure, art, music, literature, and other aspects of

culture.

A Higher Standard of Living

Could afford more products, modernized homes and clothingSome women began to work outside of the homePublic transportation allowed wealthier families to move out of the city

Public facilities became more availableHealth increased=longer lifeSometimes referred to as the “Victorian Era.”

Women’s Clothing

Women’s clothing was extremely heavy and layered-very hot!

Focused on the female figure-ie the corset

EVERYTHING had to be covered! Even the ankles!

Men’s Clothing

Depending on what type of hat you wore, determined what class you belonged to.

Pants were called “trousers”

Evening coats had “tails”

Catalogs=Order from home!!!!

Middle class women could order items for the home and for the family from catalogs

Shipping increased as transportation improved

Literature and the Arts

Novelists explored harsh realities of life in America.

Focused on exposing slums, poor conditions, discrimination, and moralityMark Twain, Stephen Crane, etc.

Aschan School of PaintingRepresented the vitality of city lifeUsed graphic designs

Unlike more traditional paintings

There’s a BIG difference here!

Van Gogh’s paintings were NOT popular at

this time!

EducationMore Americans could read by the late 1800's/early 1900's

Newspapers and Literature

Public education became availableKindergarten was establishedTaught skills to be used in industryMany middle class women went to school to become teachers, nurses, and social workersMany separate schools were created for African-Americans

Popular Entertainment

Amusement ParksBuffalo Bill's Wild West ShowVaudeville ShowsSpectator Sports

Baseball, horse racing, boxing, football

Baseball!!!!!

Assignment! Due next Tuesday! (one week!)What is the middle class like today? Make a “photograph” to compare and contrast how the middle class today appreciates art, music, sports, leisure, and literature as opposed to the past. Your “photograph” must contain at least 10 items.

You must also include a brief 2 paragraph essay explaining the difference in living and working conditions for the middle and immigrant classes.