Cities, Tenements, and Cities, Tenements, and ReformReform

Anti-ImmigrationAnti-Immigration NativistsNativists

Ppl in US before Ppl in US before Immigrants.Immigrants.

Against immigrantsAgainst immigrants Thought immigrants took Thought immigrants took

jobs jobs Tried to stop/limit Tried to stop/limit

immigration. immigration. Led to organizations & Led to organizations &

gov’t. laws against gov’t. laws against immigrationimmigration

Many would not hire Many would not hire certain people.certain people.

1881 law - need $ to 1881 law - need $ to move to USmove to US

Chinese Exclusion Act Chinese Exclusion Act 1882 1882 ends Chinese ends Chinese

immigrationimmigration Quota systemQuota system

19221922 Certain # of immigrants Certain # of immigrants

from each country.from each country. Countries favored over Countries favored over

others.others.

Anti-ImmigrationAnti-Immigration

CitiesCities Grew largeGrew large

Ppl move to cities.Ppl move to cities. Farm tech. – less workers.Farm tech. – less workers. Free AA.Free AA.

ImmigrantsImmigrants no $ to move west or buy no $ to move west or buy

land in countryland in country JobsJobs Cheap housingCheap housing

1865-1900 = pop. doubled.1865-1900 = pop. doubled. started growing upward -started growing upward -

skyscrapers. skyscrapers. called melting pots called melting pots

Ppl of different cultures Ppl of different cultures mixed together. mixed together.

Culture spread.Culture spread.

skyscrapers

Migration Within the United States Migration Within the United States

CitiesCities

Immigrants from same Immigrants from same countries lived in ethnic countries lived in ethnic neighborhoods neighborhoods

Little ItalyLittle Italy ChinatownChinatown Jewish “Lower East Side”Jewish “Lower East Side”

Called Called Italian-Amer., Italian-Amer., Chinese-Amer.Chinese-Amer.

Quote on Changing CitiesQuote on Changing Cities

““Noise, traffic jams, slums, air pollution, and Noise, traffic jams, slums, air pollution, and sanitation and health problems became sanitation and health problems became commonplace. Mass transit, in the form of commonplace. Mass transit, in the form of trolleys, cable cars, and subways, was built, trolleys, cable cars, and subways, was built, and skyscrapers began to dominate city and skyscrapers began to dominate city skylines. New communities, known as skylines. New communities, known as suburbs, began to be built just beyond the city. suburbs, began to be built just beyond the city. Commuters, those who lived in the suburbs Commuters, those who lived in the suburbs and traveled in and out of the city for work, and traveled in and out of the city for work, began to increase in number”.began to increase in number”.

City Problems As cities grew, problems & diseases spread… Housing: overcrowded, unsafe. Sanitation: garbage, waste,

pollution. Transportation: no public

trans. Water: not filtered Crime: no police. Fire: Limited water, wooden

structures, candles Chicago 1871 San Francisco 1906

TenementsTenements Immigrant housingImmigrant housing families would cram into families would cram into

spaces meant for 1 family.spaces meant for 1 family. raw sewage & garbage in raw sewage & garbage in

streets.streets. DiseasesDiseases Called ghettos/slums.Called ghettos/slums. Most were….Most were….

Very small.Very small. no windows/ventilation.no windows/ventilation. No water or bathrooms No water or bathrooms

(outside & shared)(outside & shared) Dumbbell shapeDumbbell shape

Tenement housing in New York City.

In NYC, in one district of tenements, six In NYC, in one district of tenements, six out of ten babies died before their first out of ten babies died before their first birthday.birthday.

A typical TenementA typical Tenement a building that has 4-6 stories. a building that has 4-6 stories. a number of families or tenants living together. a number of families or tenants living together. each apartment has 3 rooms (the living or front room, the each apartment has 3 rooms (the living or front room, the

kitchen, and a small bedroom). kitchen, and a small bedroom). dimensions of the rooms are as follows: living room is 11' x dimensions of the rooms are as follows: living room is 11' x

12' 6", bedroom is 8' 6" square, and the kitchen is 12' x 10' 12' 6", bedroom is 8' 6" square, and the kitchen is 12' x 10' square. square.

no toilet/shower/bath no toilet/shower/bath bathrooms located in rear yard bathrooms located in rear yard fireplace in the kitchen fireplace in the kitchen no water available inside the building no water available inside the building no electricityno electricity

TenementsTenements Early tenements had very dark hallways as lighting was only Early tenements had very dark hallways as lighting was only

from a sky light and/or glass transoms in apartment doors. from a sky light and/or glass transoms in apartment doors. Even the air shaft next to the stairway did not substantially Even the air shaft next to the stairway did not substantially increase the light and air in the tenement hallways. It wasn't increase the light and air in the tenement hallways. It wasn't until the Tenement act of 1901 that lighting was required in until the Tenement act of 1901 that lighting was required in halls. Gas lighting was initially installed but electric lighting halls. Gas lighting was initially installed but electric lighting followed quickly behind. followed quickly behind.

Structurally New York City tenements were generally of two Structurally New York City tenements were generally of two types: - smaller houses of three or four floors that may have types: - smaller houses of three or four floors that may have originally been one family and were converted into three or originally been one family and were converted into three or four family dwellings - larger buildings constructed as four family dwellings - larger buildings constructed as tenements that were typically five or six floors with four tenements that were typically five or six floors with four families to a floor. families to a floor.

TenementsTenements life inside tenement housing was not easy. There was no life inside tenement housing was not easy. There was no

running water within the building and no electricity; the running water within the building and no electricity; the bathroom was in the rear yard, and there were no baths bathroom was in the rear yard, and there were no baths or showers. (This was true of all tenement buildings or showers. (This was true of all tenement buildings built before the 1901 Tenement Housing Act. )built before the 1901 Tenement Housing Act. )

In the oldest and poorest tenements water had to be In the oldest and poorest tenements water had to be obtained from an outside pump, frequently frozen in obtained from an outside pump, frequently frozen in winter. Later buildings generally had a sink and water winter. Later buildings generally had a sink and water closet in the hall on each floor. Newer and better class closet in the hall on each floor. Newer and better class tenements had sinks in the kitchen. They were all "cold tenements had sinks in the kitchen. They were all "cold water". Water for washing dishes and clothes and for water". Water for washing dishes and clothes and for taking baths was heated on the stove.taking baths was heated on the stove.

TenementsTenements

A typical tenement house on the corner of Ontario and Monroe streets in Toledo, Ohio.

TenementsTenements

Look inside a TenementLook inside a Tenement 97 Orchard Street was completely boarded up from 1935 through 1987. 97 Orchard Street was completely boarded up from 1935 through 1987.

When the building was finally opened, everything found inside was exactly When the building was finally opened, everything found inside was exactly as it had been left when the tenement was sealed. During the recent as it had been left when the tenement was sealed. During the recent restoration, over 1,500 artifacts were found in the building, including restoration, over 1,500 artifacts were found in the building, including kitchenware, toys, cosmetic products, documents, soda, medicinal and milk kitchenware, toys, cosmetic products, documents, soda, medicinal and milk bottles, letters, newspapers, buttons, old coins, fabric scraps, etc. Many of bottles, letters, newspapers, buttons, old coins, fabric scraps, etc. Many of these objects were actually found underneath the floorboards and inside these objects were actually found underneath the floorboards and inside mailboxes.mailboxes.

Have students access the "Excavation" section of WNET's Lower East Side Have students access the "Excavation" section of WNET's Lower East Side Tenement Museum site. Look for a variety of objects found under the Tenement Museum site. Look for a variety of objects found under the floorboards. Using the Hidden Floorboard Object Questions and Answers floorboards. Using the Hidden Floorboard Object Questions and Answers worksheet, Describe the ten objects found. You can also view the worksheet, Describe the ten objects found. You can also view the different layers of wallpaper that were found at the site.different layers of wallpaper that were found at the site.

Working Working ConditionsConditions

Long days (12-13 hrs)Long days (12-13 hrs) Little pay Little pay 60-80 hrs per wk60-80 hrs per wk 6 days per wk6 days per wk dark, dirty, unsafe.dark, dirty, unsafe. fired easilyfired easily

Hurt Hurt SickSick Want more payWant more pay

A group of A group of boys after a boys after a 10-12 hour 10-12 hour shift in the shift in the factory.factory.

***Homestead strike***Homestead strike

Homestead StrikeHomestead Strike Carnegie Steel -PACarnegie Steel -PA Pay would be cut.Pay would be cut. Workers went on strikeWorkers went on strike Fence put up, new workers hired, guards.Fence put up, new workers hired, guards. Bloody fight many killed.Bloody fight many killed. Pinkertons (hired troops) vs. workers.Pinkertons (hired troops) vs. workers. Workers arrested, fired, needed new jobs.Workers arrested, fired, needed new jobs. Could not get hired, lower pay.Could not get hired, lower pay.

Henry Frick tried to cut workers wages at Carnegie Steel in the summer of 1892 while Andrew Carnegie was in Europe.

Henry Frick Carnegie Steel Andrew Carnegie

The Union at the Carnegie plant in Homestead, Pennsylvania, called a strike.

On July 5th 300 Pinkerton’s moved up the Monongahela River on barges. In a shootout with strikers, several people died and many were wounded.

Frick had a plan for defeating the Union. July 1st He called in the Pinkertons, which is a private police force, known for their ability to break strikes.

On November 20, the Homestead Strike was called off.

*****The Triangle Fire*****The Triangle Fire Worst factory fire in New Worst factory fire in New

York historyYork history Occurred on March 25, 1911 Occurred on March 25, 1911

around 4:45- the last fifteen around 4:45- the last fifteen minutes of the work dayminutes of the work day

In a garment factory.In a garment factory. Led to better working and Led to better working and

safety conditions in factory.safety conditions in factory. Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Triangle Shirtwaist Factory

occupied the top 3 floors of occupied the top 3 floors of the buildingthe building

The ninth floor had only two doors leading out. One stairwell was already filling with smoke and flames by the time the seamstresses realized the building was ablaze. The other door had been locked, to prevent workers from stealing materials or taking breaks and to keep out union organizers.

Fire fighters arrived soon after the alarm was sounded but ladders only reached the 6th floor and pumps could not raise water to the highest floors of the 10-story building.  Still the fire was quickly controlled and was essentially extinguished in half an hour.  In this fire-proof building, 146 men, women, and children lost their lives and many others were seriously injured.

Realizing there was no other way to avoid the flames, sixty-two of the women broke Realizing there was no other way to avoid the flames, sixty-two of the women broke windows and jumped to the pavement nine floors below. Others pried open the elevator windows and jumped to the pavement nine floors below. Others pried open the elevator doors and tumbled down the elevator shaft. Of the jumpers, a single survivor was found doors and tumbled down the elevator shaft. Of the jumpers, a single survivor was found close to drowning in water collecting in the elevator shaft. The fallen bodies and falling close to drowning in water collecting in the elevator shaft. The fallen bodies and falling victims made it difficult for the fire department to reach the building.victims made it difficult for the fire department to reach the building.The remainder waited until smoke and fire overcame them. The fire department arrived The remainder waited until smoke and fire overcame them. The fire department arrived quickly but was unable to stop the flames, as there were no ladders available that could quickly but was unable to stop the flames, as there were no ladders available that could reach beyond the sixth floor. reach beyond the sixth floor.

The Triangle The Triangle FireFire

Twisted fire escapeTwisted fire escape there was only one in there was only one in

the entire buildingthe entire building under the weight of our under the weight of our

the women, the fire the women, the fire escape broke, plunging escape broke, plunging dozens to their death 80 dozens to their death 80 feet belowfeet below

The 240 employees sewing shirtwaists on the ninth floor had their escape blocked by back-to-back chairs and workbaskets in the aisles.  The 75-foot long paired sewing machine tables obstructed essential access to the windows, stairs, and elevators.

Inside of the factory after the fireInside of the factory after the fire

The Weight of the Falling BodiesThe Weight of the Falling Bodies Identifying the Burnt BodiesIdentifying the Burnt BodiesJumping Out of the window caused after the fire. Many girls Jumping Out of the window caused after the fire. Many girls holes in the sidewalk like thisholes in the sidewalk like this could only be identified by could only be identified by

their engagement ringstheir engagement rings

For endless hours, police officers held lanterns to light the bodies while crowds filed past victims laid out in numbered rough brown coffins.  As the dead were identified the coffin was closed and moved aside.  Forty-three were identified by sunrise on Sunday. Six days later 7 were still unrecognized. 

Broken Bodies Lying on the Broken Bodies Lying on the SidewalkSidewalk

The Aftermath of the FireThe Aftermath of the Fire

This couple had just This couple had just identified their daughter identified their daughter among the victimsamong the victims

In all 146 men and In all 146 men and women lost their lives women lost their lives in the fire, the youngest in the fire, the youngest being 11. being 11.

Picture taken after clean up began on the ninth floor.

Results of the Triangle Results of the Triangle FireFire

Thousands of women Thousands of women mourn the loss of the mourn the loss of the victims of the firevictims of the fire

Fire Prevention and Fire Prevention and inspections of factories inspections of factories becomes routine and the becomes routine and the horrors of the garment horrors of the garment industry is reformed industry is reformed nationwide as a result.nationwide as a result.

Firefighters returned the few belongings they could find.

The company's owners, Max Blanck and Isaac Harris, had fled to the building's roof when the fire began and survived. They were later put on trial, at which Max Steuer, counsel for the defendants, managed to destroy the credibility of one of the survivors, Kate Alterman, by asking her to repeat her testimony a number of times — which she did, without altering a single word. Steuer argued to the jury that Alterman and probably other witnesses had memorized their statements and might even have been told what to say by the prosecutors. The defense also stressed that the prosecution had failed to prove that the owners knew the exit doors were locked at the time in question. The jury acquitted the owners. However, they lost a subsequent civil suit in 1913, and plaintiffs won compensation in the amount of $75 per deceased victim.

Video and List of Fire VictimsVideo and List of Fire Victims

List of Fire VictimsList of Fire Victims http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/

triangle/trianglevictims2.htmltriangle/trianglevictims2.html

Triangle Shirtwaist fireTriangle Shirtwaist fire http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?

bcpid=1184539009&bclid=1221908710&bctid=12bcpid=1184539009&bclid=1221908710&bctid=120989245809892458

Gov’t & BusinessGov’t & Business

Big Businesses Bribed gov’t. officials (corrupt)

People wanted change (Progressivism) Pay Working conditions Labor laws Monopoly laws

Workers formed unionsWorkers formed unions For better pay/conditionsFor better pay/conditions strikesstrikes BlacklistedBlacklisted Won & lost Won & lost 1 worker = no change1 worker = no change many workers = change many workers = change 

Carnegie – steel

Muckracker – works to clean up Muckracker – works to clean up things.things.

Jacob Riis Photographer. Living cond. started movement to build parks and started movement to build parks and

playgrounds. playgrounds.

Social Gospel Movement Salvation Army.

Upton Sinclair Author The Jungle Meat factory cond.

Jane Addams Hull House Gave rooms, classes, health care,

services

Reformers

Famous photographer Jacob Riis captured the struggle of living in crowded tenements

Famous photographer Jacob Riis captured the struggle of living in crowded tenements

Words by Jacob RiisWords by Jacob Riis

““Be careful.” The hall is dark and you might Be careful.” The hall is dark and you might fall over the children pitching pennies there. fall over the children pitching pennies there. Not that it would hurt them. They get kicks Not that it would hurt them. They get kicks and slaps every day. They don’t have much and slaps every day. They don’t have much else. That woman you just bumped into was else. That woman you just bumped into was filling her buckets from the outside hydrants. filling her buckets from the outside hydrants. The people who live here have Everyone on The people who live here have Everyone on the floor uses one sink. In summer, the terrible the floor uses one sink. In summer, the terrible smells from the sinks poison everyone.”smells from the sinks poison everyone.”

When Upton Sinclair heard this he When Upton Sinclair heard this he was sick!was sick!

““mary had a little  lamb mary had a little  lamb

when she saw it sickenwhen she saw it sicken

she shipped it off to packingtown she shipped it off to packingtown

now its labeled chicken”now its labeled chicken”

Packingtown - Packingtown - stockyards of Chicago were stockyards of Chicago were animals were killed there, packaged and sent animals were killed there, packaged and sent around county for meataround county for meat

Upton Sinclair – The JungleUpton Sinclair – The Jungle 19061906 Led to reform/regulations in meat packing/food Led to reform/regulations in meat packing/food

industry.industry. Hoped ppl would be so appalled they would do Hoped ppl would be so appalled they would do

something! something! Led to Teddy Roosevelt and congress passing Led to Teddy Roosevelt and congress passing

The Pure food and drug act . The Pure food and drug act . 

Meat Factory conditions Meat Factory conditions

ConditionsConditions no place for workers to wash hands – used sausage water.no place for workers to wash hands – used sausage water. Spoiled meat was canned or put in sausageSpoiled meat was canned or put in sausage Old sausage was doused with chemicals and reused.Old sausage was doused with chemicals and reused. sick animals killed next to healthy ones  sick animals killed next to healthy ones  workers spat on the floor  workers spat on the floor  rotting meat was scooped up with the remain dead rats rotting meat was scooped up with the remain dead rats

and pieces of rope and wood. made into suasage and and pieces of rope and wood. made into suasage and canned ham.  canned ham. 

pickle juices in spoiled sausage to hide the smells. pickle juices in spoiled sausage to hide the smells.  health inspectors took bribes to overlook conditions.health inspectors took bribes to overlook conditions.

Words from Upton SinclairWords from Upton Sinclair

Said – “ I aimed at the public’s heart, and by accident Said – “ I aimed at the public’s heart, and by accident I hit it in the stomach.” I hit it in the stomach.”

““It was a nasty job killing these sick cows,for It was a nasty job killing these sick cows,for when you plunged your knife into them they when you plunged your knife into them they would burst and splash foul smelling stuff into would burst and splash foul smelling stuff into your face…. It was enough to make anybody your face…. It was enough to make anybody sick to think people had to eat such stuff as sick to think people had to eat such stuff as this. But they must be eating it - for the this. But they must be eating it - for the canners were going on preparing it, year after canners were going on preparing it, year after year.”year.”

CreatedCreated Things were created…Things were created…

SchoolsSchools FreeFree Laws required to attend.Laws required to attend. Everyone learned English.Everyone learned English. Colleges formedColleges formed

Company Towns Company Towns Towns for workers by BusinessesTowns for workers by Businesses

National ParksNational Parks President Teddy Roosevelt.President Teddy Roosevelt. 150 million acres of forests.150 million acres of forests. Conserve natural resources Conserve natural resources

ReformsReforms 1616thth amendment - income tax. amendment - income tax. Prohibition – alcohol illegal.Prohibition – alcohol illegal. 1919thth amendment amendment

19201920 Women can vote.Women can vote. Suffrage – right to voteSuffrage – right to vote Susan B. Anthony – 1Susan B. Anthony – 1stst women to vote. women to vote.

1515thth amendment amendment 18701870 All males can vote.All males can vote.

Civil service act Civil service act must take test for gov’t jobs.must take test for gov’t jobs. 1883 1883

Secret ballotsSecret ballots Old way – colorsOld way – colors New way – closed voting booths.New way – closed voting booths.