2. Urban Opportunities Urbanization: growth of cities Resulted from the technological boom of 19th C. Most immigrants settled in cities because of lower living costs and more job opportunities Americanization Movement: designed to assimilate everyone into the dominant culture Programs provided to teach immigrants skills needed to become citizens (English Literacy, Gov’t) as well as cooking and social etiquette
3. Migration from Country to City New farming technology meant less laborers were needed Many farmers moved to the city for work The majority were African Americans looking for jobs and an escape from violence Found segregation and discrimination
4. Urban Problems Housing: Working class families lived in row-houses, immigrants moved into over crowed and unsanitary tenements NYC passed a law in 1879 that set standards for plumbing and ventilation in apartments Transportation: Mass transit was started (street cars and subways) and allowed workers to commute from outside the city Water: city residents had inadequate drinking water. Few homes had indoor plumbing
5. Urban Problems Cont. Sanitation: Horse manure piled in the streets, sewage ran in open gutters, factory smoke filled the air, and there was no reliable trash pick-up Crime: with increased populations, thieves and pickpockets flourished. Most law enforcement was too small to keep up Fire: Most city dwellings were made of wood, candles and kerosene heaters were being used, and there was a water shortage. Nations first paid fire department est. in Ohio 1853
6. Reforms Social Gospel Movement: preached salvation through service to the poor. Settlement Houses: community centers in slum neighborhoods that provided assistance to people in the area Provided educational, social, and cultural services Jane Addams founded Chicago’s Huss House with Ellen Gates Starr 1889
