Textbook Terms, Chapter 18

Discusses reason for urban growth and the consequences of a rapidly growing urban populaton.

Alice Hamilton

A pioneering physician and social reformer who investigated industrial diseases and promoted workplace safety in the late 19th and early 20th centuries

Armory Show

A 1913 art exhibition in New York introducing modern European art to America, influencing American modernist artists

Ashcan School

A group of early 20th-century American artists who depicted everyday urban life, often focusing on the gritty realities of cities

Assimilation

The process by which immigrants or Native Americans were encouraged or forced to adopt mainstream American culture and values

Boss Rule

Political control by urban “bosses” who maintained power through patronage, corruption, and support of immigrant communities

"City Beautiful" Movement

A reform movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries aiming to improve urban environments through beautification, parks, and monumental architecture

Darwinism

The application of Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection to society, sometimes used to justify social hierarchy and competition

Department Stores

Large retail establishments that emerged in the late 19th century, offering a wide variety of goods and transforming consumer culture

D.W. Griffith

Early American filmmaker known for pioneering cinematic techniques and directing The Birth of a Nation (1915), which had a controversial portrayal of race

Edward Hopper

American realist painter known for capturing modern urban and rural life, emphasizing isolation and mood

Henry James

American novelist and critic who explored psychological realism and social dynamics in works like The Portrait of a Lady

Jacob Riis

Photographer and journalist who exposed the harsh living conditions of New York tenements in How the Other Half Lives (1890)

Kate Chopin

Author of late 19th-century novels and stories, including The Awakening, exploring women’s independence and social constraints

Mass Transit

Public transportation systems such as streetcars, subways, and elevated trains that facilitated urban growth and commuting

Modernism

Cultural and artistic movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries emphasizing experimentation, new forms, and a break from traditional styles

Movies

Emerging form of mass entertainment in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, shaping popular culture and social norms

National Consumers League

Organization founded in 1899 to promote safe working conditions, fair wages, and consumer protection, often advocating for women workers

Newspaper Chains

Corporations that owned multiple newspapers across cities, centralizing news production and expanding media influence

Social Realism

Artistic and literary movement depicting everyday life and social issues, often highlighting inequality and labor struggles

Stephen Crane

Author of novels and stories such as The Red Badge of Courage, portraying realism and the psychological effects of war

Tammany Hall

Powerful Democratic political machine in New York City known for patronage, corruption, and influence over immigrant voters

Tenements

Overcrowded, poorly built apartment buildings in urban areas where many immigrants and working-class families lived

Theodore Dreiser

American novelist and journalist whose works, like Sister Carrie, explored social issues, urban life, and naturalism

Upton Sinclair

Muckraking journalist and author of The Jungle, exposing unsafe conditions in the meatpacking industry and prompting food safety reforms

William James

Philosopher and psychologist who helped develop pragmatism and studied the psychology of religion and consciousness

William M. Tweed

Leader of Tammany Hall, notorious for political corruption and embezzlement of public funds in New York City

Women’s Colleges

Institutions founded in the 19th century to provide higher education for women, promoting academic and professional opportunities

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalist journalism in the late 19th century using exaggeration and scandal to attract readers and influence public opinion

Yiddish Theatre

A cultural institution among Jewish immigrants in the U.S., preserving language and traditions while addressing social and political themes