Between the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, the industrial cities of the United States attracted many individuals. As new transportation systems were created, it helped the city expand which allowed people to live on the outside parts of the city. The middle–class and the upper-class would live in the suburbs that had “pure air, peacefulness”, and “natural scenery.” Previously, the cities were known as “walking cities”. During this period, the “walking cities” changed to a commercial atmosphere with banks, shops, theaters, professional firms, and businesses. They also had industrial buildings, grandiose civic monuments, parks, and acres of substantial middle class homes. Many individuals and families from all over the world came to the United States to start a new life. As more immigrants came to America the cities became segregated. But why, why would they risk all they had in their native land to come to the U.S.?
Neighborhoods and Neighborhood Life pg 597
As the cities developed, the working class foreigners entered the center of the cities as the middle-class and the rich left to the suburbs. Immigrants often lived in the same streets, same neighborhoods, and in the same houses as other immigrants. During this time, they lived in unsanitary slums where the houses were divided to allow housing availability for more families. What uncomfortable conditions did the families face? To start, the houses were small, dark, and compact with people. Unlike our presently clean water source, outdoor hydrants supplied their water which women used to wash, cook, and clean. They normally would dump their waste into the unpaved alleys and courts served by inadequate sewage systems. As the outside environment became more unsanitary and unhealthy for people, the urban rate rose. The skilled workers were so fortunate that they were able to afford rent for comfortable quarters, while some had the opportunity to own their own house. Unfortunately for the unskilled workers, they were crammed into a four room tenement.
The working–class immigrants became victims of the environment, but with the help of their religious and ethnic identities, they felt right at home. Many religious participants organized their own religious church or society to help bring communities together. African Americans dealt heavily with living conditions than any other group in the cities. Blacks in the North lived in segregated areas and, in the South, they lived in poor alleys and small streets. After a certain period of time, African Americans churches grew dramatically. As a result, many blacks shifted to the middle-class society.
Streetcar Suburbs pg 599
Transportation systems gave the middle-class and the upper-class societies the ability to live on the outskirts of the cities. They made their money from big businesses, commerce and the professions, or inherited family fortunes. Many people, like Robert Work, made an enormous fortune. They bought houses in the suburbs and commuted many miles on transportation systems to go to work. These households were composed of parents, children, servants, and boarders. Unlike the poor conditions faced by working-class families, the middle and upper classes were fortunate to have hot and cold running water, indoor bathrooms, central heating, and other modern conveniences of the age. Beautifully carved furniture, rugs, draperies, and laced curtains decorated the mansions.
The Social Geography of the Cities pg 599
As more people arrived into the U.S., people were sorted out by class, income, occupation, and race. Why were the cities segregated? Everybody is human, why can’t everybody get along? The industrial developments affected the size of the family and domestic life. The middle-class families had fewer kids, while the lower-class families had many kids. The children of the lower class were sent to work to help the families receive more income to sustain their lives. Conflicts rose between the lower-class and upper/middle classes. Lower-class families were criticized for taking their children out of schools and sending them to work. Middle-class newspaper writers described the men as “loafing” and criticized the “crowds of idlers, who, day and night, infect Main Street.” The idlers were pressured because they were unemployed. How can the higher classes judge the lower ones without knowing what their current life situation is? Thankfully, upper classes could find jobs and earn a good income. In contrast, lower classes had to struggle to find jobs and maintain their families. With extremely hard work and dedication to their families, this class was able to rise above their poor living conditions to survive.
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