Chapter 18 – Age of th e City , 1870-1900

Chapter 18 – Age of the City, 1870-1900America accomplished heavy

industrialization in the post–Civil War era. Spurred by the transcontinental rail network, business grew and consolidated into giant corporate trusts, as epitomized by the oil and steel industries.Industrialization radically transformed the practices of labor and the condition of the American working people. But despite efforts of unions, workers failed to develop effective labor organizations to match the power of corporations.With the concentration of capital in the hands of a few, a “survival of the fittest” theory emerged. Another theory known as the “Gospel of Wealth” argued that well-to-do societies had to prove themselves morally responsible.

Factors of Population Growth?

Sources of Immigration 1860-1900?

Assimilation

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Age of the City – Tenement Living

The word “tenement” had originally referred simply to a multiple-family rental building, but by the late 19th century it was being used to describe slum dwellings only.

Men's Lodging Room in the West 47th Street Station

c. 1892

Age of the City – Tenement Living

Age of the City – Tenement Living

Room in a Tenement Flat, 1910

Age of the City – Tenement Living

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Age of the City – “Dumbbell” Tenement

Jacob Riis – How the Other Half Lives

Looking Backward

Immigration Under Attack

Mass Transit

■1870, NY opened first elevated railway with noisy, filthy steam-powered trains

■Chicago, San Francisco: cable cars

■1883: Brooklyn Bridge opened in NY City

■1897, Boston: 1st subway system

“Skyscraper”■ 1850s: elevators■ 1870s: cast irons & steel beam

construction

Video: Growth of American cities

Strains of Urban Life: Fire■1871: Chicago & Boston “great

fires”■1906: SF earthquake

The Boss & Machine Politics

■Newly arrived immigrants:• Could not speak English• Needed help adjusting to

American life (laws & customs)■Urban political machine was the

principal source of assistance.■ Urban machine: America’s most

distinctive political institution of Gilded Age.

The Boss & Machine Politics

Theme #3: Image A

Theme #3:

Image B

Theme #3: Image C

Theme #3: Image D

Theme #3—Political Machines

■The Gilded Age saw the rise of political machines—well-organized groups that controlled a political party in a city• Machines offered services to

voters & businesses in exchange for political votes

• Were very influential with immigrants

• Helped with jobs, housing, & naturalization

Theme #3—Political Machines

■Machines were led by city bosses who used a network of ward bosses & precinct captains to:• Control access to city jobs,

business licenses, courts• Arrange building projects &

community services

Theme #3—Political Machines■Machine politicians were

often corrupt:• Use fraud to win elections• Graft—Using their political influence for personal gain

• Took kickbacks & bribes■The most notorious machine

boss was Boss Tweed of New York’s Tammany Hall who defrauded the city of millions of dollars

Political machines influenced immigrant voters by

creating parks near slums,

barbeques, giving away Christmas presents to

children

Boss Tweed

“Tweed Courthouse”—NY County Courthouse was supposed to cost $250,000 but cost $13 million.

Theme #4—Political Scandals■During the Gilded Age,

attempts were made to reform government:• Many gov’t positions, such as tax

collectors or post office officials, were appointed by patronage— a reward for political loyalty

• Calls for civil service (government administration) reform began

• In 1883, Congress passed the Pendleton Act, creating merit-based exams for most civil service jobs