Up from the Bottom in Franklin's Philadelphia (Gary B. Nash)

A set of Question-and-Answer flashcards covering key concepts from Nash's article on mobility, wealth distribution, wages, prices, taxation, and urban life in eighteenth-century Philadelphia.

What is the focus and setting of Nash's article 'Up from the Bottom in Franklin's Philadelphia'?

Philadelphia’s social and economic life in the eighteenth century, especially among the city’s lower classes during Franklin’s era (1700s to 1775).

How does the author define 'a decent competency' in pre-Revolutionary Philadelphia?

A modest level of material well-being and security—not top wealth—where one could live decently and be a useful member of the community.

Who are the Richardson family and why are they central to the study?

A Philadelphia family of silversmiths and merchants whose fortunes rose across generations, illustrating upward mobility in early Philadelphia.

Who is Cesar Ghiselin and what does his story illustrate?

A French Huguenot silversmith whose fortunes rose and later collapsed, illustrating the fragility of mobility and wealth.

By end of the colonial period, how was wealth distributed in Philadelphia?

Wealth became highly concentrated; the bottom 60% owned less than 6% of resources, while a small elite held most of the wealth.

What does Table I tell us about Philadelphia's growth from 1700 to 1775?

The city expanded from about 2,300 people in 1700 to roughly 32,000–34,000 by 1775, roughly doubling every twenty years.

What is the method and finding of Tables 5 and 6 regarding poor Philadelphians?

A longitudinal study of four groups identified as poor in 1751–2, 1756–8, 1761–2, and 1767–8; by 1772, upward mobility was limited, with many remaining poor.

What is the significance of the 1772 persistence findings for mobility?

Most individuals identified as poor in 1751–2, 1756–8, 1762–3, and 1767–8 remained unprosperous by 1772, underscoring limited mobility.

What is the 'Leather apron men' reference?

Philadelphia artisans celebrated for their upward mobility; Benjamin Franklin became a hero to them, and his writings (e.g., The Way to Wealth) shaped attitudes toward wealth and self-improvement.

How did population growth and immigration affect Philadelphia's mobility in the early 18th century?

Rapid growth and large waves of Scotch-Irish and German immigrants increased the labor force and contributed to poverty, but also created new opportunities for some; mobility patterns shifted over time.

What economic cycles affected Philadelphia between 1740 and 1775?

Booms and busts driven by war, overseas demand, and trade, with prosperity for some and rising hardship for many as cycles intensified.

How did wages for mariners and carpenters change relative to prices?

Mariners’ wages rose during war-driven booms but later lagged; carpenters generally kept wages in line with price increases, while less skilled workers suffered more.

What happened to wood prices and the role of the Committee to Alleviate the Miseries of the Poor?

Wood prices spiked around 1759–60; the Committee distributed wood to hundreds of families, alleviating some distress during severe winters.

What was the trend in food prices during the late 1760s to early 1770s, and how did it affect workers?

Food prices rose sharply (bread, beef, sugar); between 1769 and 1772 prices increased about 29%, reducing real living standards for laborers.

How did taxation affect those at the bottom, and how did authorities respond?

Tax burdens rose, but minimum assessments were lowered over time to ease collection; many poor paid little or nothing as the tax system strained under recession.

What does Nash say about the role of the market in urban life and opportunity by the late colonial period?

The market increased impersonal pressure and economic fluctuations; wealth concentrated among the elite, reducing upward mobility and contributing to social tensions.

How did the Philadelphia poor relief system evolve by 1775?

A shift from family-based relief to broader institutional relief (almshouse, hospital, public aid) as urban poverty grew.

What is the overall conclusion about mobility and urban life in Franklin's Philadelphia?

Mobility from bottom to top was not guaranteed; opportunity declined due to war, immigration, and market forces, helping spark radical artisan politics after 1765.