Life in the Cities
Working Class Struggles*by mid 1800s, workers formed mutual-aid societies, self-help groups to aid sick or injured workers
*men and women joined socialist parties, organized unions*by late 1800s, most western countries gave all men the right to vote *labor unions were legalized in many industrialized nations by the beginning of the 20th century*child labor wasoutlawed, employment of women in mines was banned *by 1909, British coal miners won an 8-hour work day |
Slums*urban life remained harsh for the poor
*tenements in overcrowded neighborhoods *high rates of crime, alcoholism were a constant curse |
Sidewalks, Sewers, and Skyscrapers*sidewalks helped with pedestrian traffic in cities
*gas lamps, then electric street lights, increased safety at night *organized police forces, expanded fire protection *sewage systems made cities healthier places to live *massive new sewers in London and Paris cut death rates dramatically |
Changing City Landscape urban renewal
- rebuilding of the poor areas of city - tenement housing replaced by wide boulevards and public buildings |