UNIT 6, CH 19

The rise of large cities transformed American society and politics by exposing serious problems caused by rapid industrialization and immigration. Overcrowded tenements, dangerous working conditions highlighted by the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, and corruption from political machines led many Americans to support progressivism. Reformers such as Jane Addams at Hull House and journalists like Jacob Riis and Upton Sinclair used muckraking to reveal urban poverty and unsafe industries, pushing the government to act. These efforts resulted in reforms like the Pure Food and Drug Act and labor protections championed by groups such as the National Consumers’ League, showing how growing cities reshaped politics by expanding the role of government in solving social problems.

Chicago School

group of sociologists who studied urban life and social problems in rapidly growing cities

mutual aid society

voluntary organizations formed to provide support and services to members, especially immigrants

race riot

violent clashes between racial groups, often triggered by economic and houseing tensions

tenement

overcrowded and poorly built urban apartment buildings for working class families

vaudeville

popular form of live entertainment featuring comedy, music, and novelty acts

ragtime

style of music characterized by syncopated rhythms

Scott Joplin

composer known as “King of Ragtime”

blues

musical genre expressing hardship and emotion, rooted in African American experiences

yellow journalism

sensationalized news reporting meant to attract readers

muckrakers

journalists who exposed corruption and social problems

political machine

organized political group that controlled city government through patronage

Tom Johnson

progressive mayor of cleveland who pushed urban reform

National Municipal League

organization promoting efficient and honest city government

progressivism

reform movement aimed at addressing problems caused by industrialization

Jacob Riis

photographer and writer who exposed urban poverty

“City Beautiful” movement

urban planning promoting beautification to improve city life

social settlement

community centers providing services to the urban poor

Hull House

major settlement house founded in Chicago

Jane Addams

social reformer and founder of Hull House

Margaret Sanger

activist who promoted birth control

Upton Sinclair

novelist and muckraker who exposed industrial abuses

pure food and drug act

law regulating food and medicine safety

National Consumers’ League

organization advocating for fair labor practices

Florence Kelley

reformer who fought for labor and consumer protections

Women’s Trade Union League

organization supporting women laborers and unions

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

factory fire that killed many garment workers in 1911