1. The emergence of New York City as the dominant urban center of the Atlantic world Tadd Mannino History 141, Spring 2011 Palomar College New York CityThe Crossroads of the World
2. Dewitt Clinton 1800s New York City US Capitol moved to Washington D.C. NYC focuses on business/commerce/trade Vanderbilt – works from ferryman to owning Black Line steamship fleet. Most efficient of the day Astor – fur fortune gives way to real estate NYC’s Landscape hinders growth No easy access to trade with interior of growing U.S. Dewitt Clinton 1811 – as Mayor, directs grid system for future streets, creates public schools 1823 – as Governor, lobbies for and completes Erie Canal
3. Erie canal Modeled on English canals, but on a grand scale Avg. length 27 miles, most around two miles Erie Canal ran from Upper Hudson River to Lake Erie 363 miles, raising/lowering boats 565 ft. through 36 locks Opposed by Jefferson and Pres. Madison Clinton used: mass rallies, 100K signature petition, and public funds to attract private investment, issued bonds Began in 1817, completed 1825 – three yr.s early Pays for itself before completion
4. Erie canal Largest U.S. public works project, until the Federal Highway Act in 1956 – the Interstate! Clinton travels length of canal and back Pours Lake Erie water in NY Harbor, “NY will become the granary of the world, the emporium of commerce, the seat of mfg., the concentrating point of vast capital.” Dewitt Clinton NYC links US heartland to Atlantic/European trade It still does today “All America is now met in New York.”
5. Sunshine and Shadow 1930s NYC Great Depression, 1/3 out of work, NY economy stalls “Tammany Hall” politicos controlled city through corruption funded with federal dollars since 1829 1929 - 1932 – NY Governor FDR fights Tammy Hall
6. Sunshine and Shadow FDR causes resignation of Mayor Walker Used court system to extort $ from innocent victims Ends Tammany Hall’s 100 year reign 1933 – FDR helps LaGuardia win NYC Mayoral post w/platform: Restore NYC financial health Expand federal relief program for unemployed. End corruption in govt., and racketeering in economy Replace patronage with merit-based civil service Build infrastructure – transportation/parks 1932 – FDR takes NYC’s New Deal to Washington
7. Sunshine and Shadow Robert Moses – a man of order, his own Never elected, formed many public “Authorities” Accountable to no one The Master builder of modern NYC Development mentality Connected the five Burroughs Bridges, Tunnels, Roads Changed neighborhoods Lasting infrastructure Favored autos, parks and using federal money, but… Did little for minorities Displaced thousands of citizens for his projects A polarizing urban planner influencing future city planners for better or worse
8. A Merger That Puts New York on Topby Mike Clough Will NYC lead future global information economy as it has the past industrial economy? AOL/Time Warner headquarters NYC/East Coast Old economy based on location, awareness of world markets Info-based economy needs no location Its technology based in West – Silicon Valley, LA, San Fran AOL bought Time Warner, not other way around Disney/ABC, Microsoft, Silicon Valley seem unable/unwilling to preempt NYCs world-leading role
9. The Great Transatlantic Migration 1870 – 1914, 23 million immigrants to US 1914, One in six US citizens foreign born Three-fifths of 23 million immigrants to US Old European practice of itinerant workers Predominantly male Steam travel increased ease, decreased risk 4 – 6 weeks vs. 1 week, 10 – 25% mortality vs. 1% Railroads disseminated new arrivals Most went to urban cities No group dominated, “the melting pot”
10. The Great Transatlantic Migration US had open land, growing cities, industry Migrants sought opportunity, self-improvement families followed Some sought land, religious freedom Most after 1887 went to cities Repatriation, returning home common Traditional patterns became trans-Atlantic Migrants came from many countries Travelled to where land/labor available Opportunities unobtainable in the South This kept Blacks from migrating north
11. The Great Transatlantic Migration US backlash against tides of immigrants Along racial/cultural lines Protestant Catholic Educated Illiterates Teutonics Slavs, Semites, Asiatics Manufacturing countries Unskilled labor Immigrants assimilated, but took time Two generations All sought to change their lives They were, “people of scanty fortunes, loving change but hating revolution, trying to keep the little they had, and hoping to magnify it.” Alexis de Tocqueville
