11

Immigration and Urbanization

Immigration and Urbanization

The Gilded AgeThe Gilded Age

22

Lower East Side TenementLower East Side Tenement• The first multiple dwellings were

the tenements that were built largely for poor immigrants.

• In the 1860’s and 70’s, hundreds of tenements were built, primarily on the Lower East Side of New York City, as more and more poor immigrants arrived.

• Originally, there were little laws governing tenement construction, and most were filthy, crowded and lacked electricity and running water.

• Conditions were absolutely horrible.

• The first multiple dwellings were the tenements that were built largely for poor immigrants.

• In the 1860’s and 70’s, hundreds of tenements were built, primarily on the Lower East Side of New York City, as more and more poor immigrants arrived.

• Originally, there were little laws governing tenement construction, and most were filthy, crowded and lacked electricity and running water.

• Conditions were absolutely horrible.

Source: Andrew Dolkart, Tenements: The First Multiple Dwellings.

33

Tenement Floor planTenement Floor plan

• Tenements were overcrowded, unsanitary, and often lacked heat, electricity, water and proper sewage.

• This picture is a floor plan of a typical dumbbell tenement built to house working-class families.

• Tenements were overcrowded, unsanitary, and often lacked heat, electricity, water and proper sewage.

• This picture is a floor plan of a typical dumbbell tenement built to house working-class families.

44

Drawing of a Tenement from

Jacob Riis

Drawing of a Tenement from

Jacob Riis

55

A Tale of Two-HalvesA Tale of Two-Halves

• During the Gilded Age, the wealthy entrepreneurs and the middle-class managers formed one-half of society, while the working-poor made up the other half.

• The rich lived lavish lifestyles in beautiful, spacious homes.

• Immigrants families faced harsh realities: long hours, low pay, and unsanitary and crowded living conditions.

• During the Gilded Age, the wealthy entrepreneurs and the middle-class managers formed one-half of society, while the working-poor made up the other half.

• The rich lived lavish lifestyles in beautiful, spacious homes.

• Immigrants families faced harsh realities: long hours, low pay, and unsanitary and crowded living conditions.

66

Jacob RiisJacob Riis

• During the Gilded Age photography was used as a method of documentation and a tool for social reform.

• Jacob Riis attempted to capture the realities of 19th Century America for the “other half” by photographing how much of New York City lived during the Gilded Age.

• During the Gilded Age photography was used as a method of documentation and a tool for social reform.

• Jacob Riis attempted to capture the realities of 19th Century America for the “other half” by photographing how much of New York City lived during the Gilded Age.

77

Jacob Riis Continued…Jacob Riis Continued…

• Jacob Riis was trying to show the world a problem and convince people to work together to find a solution.

• We will now view pictures from How the Other Half Lives.

• Jacob Riis was trying to show the world a problem and convince people to work together to find a solution.

• We will now view pictures from How the Other Half Lives.

88

Mulberry Bend: the notorious home of TenementsMulberry Bend: the notorious home of Tenements

99

Room in a Tenement HouseRoom in a Tenement House

1010

Bottle Alley, Mulberry RoadBottle Alley, Mulberry Road

1111

Typical Tenement Fire Escape Serving as an extension of the flatTypical Tenement Fire Escape Serving as an extension of the flat

1212

Jersey Street TenementsJersey Street Tenements

1313

Tenement-House YardTenement-House Yard

1414

In the home of an Italian Rag-Picker on Jersey Street

In the home of an Italian Rag-Picker on Jersey Street

1515

A girl and baby sister, on their doorstepA girl and baby sister, on their doorstep

1616

An old rear Tenement on Roosevelt StreetAn old rear Tenement on Roosevelt Street

1717

Old Barney in Cat AlleyOld Barney in Cat Alley

1818

Girl of the TenementGirl of the Tenement

1919

Family making artificial flowers in their TenementFamily making artificial flowers in their Tenement

2020

Fighting Tuberculosis on the RoofFighting Tuberculosis on the Roof

2121

Bottle Alley, Mulberry BendBottle Alley, Mulberry Bend

2222

In poverty Gap: West 28 Street: an English coal-heaver’s homeIn poverty Gap: West 28 Street: an English coal-heaver’s home

2323

“Didn’t Live Nowhere”“Didn’t Live Nowhere”

2424

A Man slept in this cellar for Four YearsA Man slept in this cellar for Four Years

2525

Sewing and Starving in an Elizabeth Street Attic

Sewing and Starving in an Elizabeth Street Attic

2626

A flat in the pauper barracks with all its furniture

A flat in the pauper barracks with all its furniture

2727

Under the Dump at Rivington Street, 1890Under the Dump at Rivington Street, 1890

2828

Street Children in Night QuartersStreet Children in Night Quarters

2929

Tenement on West 47 Street, 1890Tenement on West 47 Street, 1890

3030

Old Mrs. Benoir in her Hudson Street attic

Old Mrs. Benoir in her Hudson Street attic

3131

Lodgers in a crowded Bayard Street TenementLodgers in a crowded Bayard Street Tenement

3232

Immigrant worker in a Coal Cellar Tenement, Ludlow StreetImmigrant worker in a Coal Cellar Tenement, Ludlow Street

3333

Old Immigrant House on Bleecker Street

Old Immigrant House on Bleecker Street

All pictures from Jacob Riis, How the Other Half Lives, restored version

Retrieved online from www.authentichistory.com/postvicilwar/riis/contents.