Gridded Lives

America ComparedAmerican History in International Perspective

H141/Kristen Cox

Gridded Lives

Similarities between Karaganda, Kazakhstan and Billings, Montana

– Utilization of gridded street system– Both products of end of industrial age– Both cities’ land was formerly considered

worthless– Built city from agricultural territory– Karaganda and Billings both had railroads,

centralizing them as railroad towns

Major differences of Karaganda and Billings

– People willingly migrated to Billing’s, thought the industrialization boom, prosperity

– Russian government forced prisoners and families to move to Karaganda

Gridded Lives: Karagandas

Early 1900 Russian government discovered Karagandas potential in mining– sent thousands of prisoners to work in the mines– displaced thousands of native Kazakhstans to different areas

many died from famine

Needed food for miners– Sent thousands of families to work in the fields to produce crops

Government over mined area, city moved– The new location of Karaganda currently the 4th largest city in Kazakhstan

Gridded Lives: Billings

1881 on land considered worthless city of Billings built

– was a barren, waterless alkali flat of sage brush with occasional oasis

– Minimal water provided by Yellowstone River, outskirts of town

Frederick Billings – mislead the future residents of

Billings into thinking it was a beautiful forest, with endless resources and capabilities

– False description attracted thousands, from all over the world

Families spent all money on move and property, couldn’t afford to move, had to stay

Modern day Billings has become successful due to industrialization

– Is the largest city in Montana