The Challenges of Urbanization

Transition from

Urbanization to Progressivism

Background

• Urbanization – growth of cities– Mostly in the northwest & midwest

• Over half of population are immigrants– Ethnic communities provide social support– Neighborhoods quickly become overcrowded

• With this growth problems arise

Urban Problems

• Prob. # 1 - Housing– Tenements multi-family, unsanitary row houses– Overcrowded, poor ventilation and sanitation

standards– Early fixes actually become a bigger issue

• Prob. # 2 - Water– Very few had indoor plumbing– Better water needed to control diseases (cholera

and typhoid)

Urban Problems

• Prob. # 3 - Sanitation– Horse manure, sewage, pollution, garbage on

streets

• Prob. # 4 – Transportation– Cities struggle to update old systems

• Prob. # 5 - Natural Disasters• Great Chicago Fire (1871) • San Francisco Earthquake (1906)• Many changes made to deal with this

Other Problems for the Progressives

• Progressivism – An early 20th century reform movement; not an organized group of people or party with a specific goal.

Problems– Worker’s Wages & Conditions– Food Safety – Corruption in Government– Inequality / Monopolies– City Problems

Political Corruption

• Causes of Corruption– Rapid growth of cities– Rise of political machines– Many opportunities to make money

illegally– Growth of industry

Corruption Vocab

• Fraud = Using fake names and illegal votes to win elections

• Graft = illegal use of political influence for personal gain

• Kickback = Bribes (illegal payments for services)

• Patronage = Giving jobs to people who helped you get elected

• Spoils System = Giving jobs to friends

Political Machines

An organized group that controlled the activities of a political party in a city

• Offer services to voters in exchange for votes• Able to access gov’t jobs and licenses• Easily influence immigrants• Example - Tammany Hall

– Democratic political machine in New York– William “Boss” Tweed

William “Boss” TweedHead of Tammany Hall

“The Tammany Tiger Loose: - “What are you going to do about it?”

(the first use of the tiger symbol)

Political Machines

All used struggling immigrants in

order to maintain their power

Scandal in Washington

• Both political parties involved on all levels

• Conflict of Interest – mixing personal occupations with public responsibilities

• “The Millionaires Club” – nickname for the U.S. Senate in the 1880’s

• Money Formula – more money candidates spend, more likely they are to win the election (Garfield first to spend 1+ million)

How much money was spent in 2008?

2008 Campaign Statistics

The “Standpatter” Presidents

• Make only minor reform

• Did not want to anger voters or take on controversial issues

• James Garfield (20th), Chester Arthur (21st), Grover Cleveland (22nd,24th), Benjamin Harrison (23rd)

• Open the door for reformist politics

James Garfield (20th President) Chester Arthur (21st President)

Grover Cleveland (22nd and 24th President)

Benjamin Harrison (23rd President)