Urbanization and Its Challenges

ASU HST 200 (Historical Themes) The Growing Pains of Urbanization, 1870-1900 Urbanization and Its Challenges In the United States, urbanization surged throughout the latter part of the 1800s due to many factors. Due to the then-current new technology, industry increased dramatically and employed a big labor force. Modern electric lighting and robust equipment enabled manufacturers to operate continuously for twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Employees were compelled to reside near to the plants and endure arduous twelvehour hours. Many Americans were prepared to abandon the deteriorating prospects of preindustrial agriculture in the hopes of earning higher income in industrial labor, despite the fact that the work was hazardous and challenging. A fresh wave of immigrants from central, eastern, and southern Europe also arrived as a result of issues ranging from starvation to religious persecution; many of them settled and found employment close to the places where they had first landed. With people who spoke the same language and culture as them, immigrants found comfort and consolation, and the country's cities developed into priceless cultural and economic hubs. While cities like Philadelphia, Boston, and New York emerged from the earliest days of colonial colonization, the mid-1800s saw an explosive increase in the number of people living in cities (Figure 19.3). At this period, tremendous advances in manufacturing led to an exponential growth in the charms of city life, particularly in terms of work prospects. Factories, including the earliest textile mills, had to be situated close to rivers and seaports prior to the mid-1800s in order to facilitate the transportation of products and provide the required water power. Production started to depend on the seasonal flow of water; the harsh, wintry winters almost eliminated river transit. This requirement was changed when the steam engine was developed, enabling companies to put their operations close to cities. Because of these industries, an increasing number of individuals were drawn to cities in search of employment, despite the fact that repetitive, tedious labor typically paid on an hourly basis. Cities eventually took on distinct personalities of their own, based on the main industry that fueled their development. Pittsburgh was known for its steel, Chicago for its meatpacking, New York for its clothing and banking sectors, and Detroit, by the middle of the 20th century, was known for the cars it produced. But during this period, all cities—regardless of industry—were plagued by the same issues that came with increasing urbanization, such as worries about housing and living conditions, transportation, and communication. These problems were nearly invariably the result of deep-seated class disparities that were further exacerbated by racial, religious, and ethnic conflict as well as dishonest local politics. Late in the 19th century, immigration and technical improvements combined to cause a spike in urbanization in the United States. There were much more job prospects as a result of the industry's explosive expansion, which was spurred by new technology including durable machinery and contemporary electric lighting. Factories ran around the clock, meaning that employees had to put in lengthy, hard twelve-hour stints. Many Americans regarded industrial labor—despite its difficult conditions—as a way to increase their income and escape the dwindling possibilities of preindustrial agriculture. At the same time, a large influx of immigrants came in the US from central, eastern, and southern Europe, fleeing persecution for their religion and other problems including famine. After arriving in cities, many immigrants found comfort and familiarity in the company of others who shared their language and culture. Consequently, American towns developed into thriving hubs of culture and commerce that drew individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. Even though cities like Philadelphia, Boston, and New York had been inhabited since the colonial period, there was a sharp increase in urban population in the middle of the 1800s. Manufacturing advancements, especially the creation of the steam engine, made it possible for industries to be situated nearer to towns, reducing reliance on ports and rivers for electricity and transportation. This change resulted in a surge of individuals looking for work in cities, even though industrial labor was sometimes low-paying and boring. Based on its principal industry, each city created a distinct character. Steel production made Pittsburgh famous, meatpacking made Chicago famous, apparel and banking made New York famous, and auto manufacture made Detroit famous. However, issues with housing, transportation, and communication were among the common urbanization-related problems that all cities had to deal with. Deep-rooted social differences, antagonism between different races and religions, and unethical local politics all contributed to these difficulties. Due to the quick inflow of immigrants and rural migrants, many metropolitan districts experienced overcrowding and unhygienic living conditions due to the demand on infrastructure and resources. Due to transportation infrastructure' inability to keep up with population growth, there are insufficient public transportation alternatives and clogged roadways. Inadequate communication networks also made it difficult for information to be shared and exacerbated social and economic inequality. Urban impoverished people had restricted access to social services, healthcare, and education, which exacerbated cycles of inequality and poverty. American cities grew and changed in spite of these obstacles because they offered opportunities for employment and a diverse range of cultural experiences. The United States' social, economic, and political environment underwent a profound transformation as a result of urbanization, which also laid the foundation for the current urban society.