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)