What was the impact of industrialization on Life in the Cities

Question

were their any positive and negative efffects 

Answer 1

The main impact of industrialization on life in the cities is population growth.  As industry grew, there was a greater need for workers.  Many people left the family farm, to seek employment, earning a higher wage.  The Great Migration of African-Americans, from the South, to the North, was because people were looking for better jobs and wages.  Thousand upon thousands of immigrants came from Europe and Asia, to escape oppression and/or seek a better life..

This overpopulation led to overcrowding.  Tenements house large numbers of people, sometimes up to 15 people living in two rooms, sharing outdoor kitchens and bathrooms with other families in the same building.  Though here were many jobs, there were many more people.  This kept wages low, and rents high.  Children went to work, to help the family survive.  Everyone worked and almost everyone bought work home with them, to earn extra money.

Many people in the cities lived in poverty.  Civic organizations tried to help the poor, but many could, or would not, be helped.  Many people turned to crime.  Boys formed gangs of theives and pickpockets.  Girls fell into prostitution.  Many people lived on the streets, or slept on "flop houses".  Many people committed minor crimes, in order to spend a cold night in a warm jail, eating a free meal and getting cleaned up.  Many people died.  Disease was rampant.

All of this led to the Reform, or Progressive Movement.

 

For more information, I refer you to:

How the Other Half Lives, by Jacob Riis and

The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair

 

Hope this helps!

 

Rich

(Born and raised in the Bronx! And PROUD of it!)