Questions and Answers
How did new technologies make the building of skyscrapers practical?
The elevator made tall buildings usable; steel framers could bear the weight of tall buildings.
How did electric transit impact urban life?
It led to the growth of subways; made commuting easier, cities could more easily expand out and allow for people to move farther away from the actual city.
What are L-Trains?
Elevated or 'el' trains were a form of electric transit that was built above street level.
What are subways?
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What is the Brooklyn Bridge?
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What is the City Beautification Movement?
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What is the City-Planning Movement?
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Describe some of the turn-of-the-century innovations and inventions that affected city life, and explain how they did so.
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What are three major changes in cities near the turn of the century? What effect did each have?
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What caused the growth in reading materials?
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Who were the Wright Brothers?
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What are amusement parks?
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Who is Alexander J. Cartwright?
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Who invented basketball?
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How was football developed?
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Why were sports popular among Americans at the turn of the century?
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What is the Ashcan School?
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What is pragmatism?
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Who is Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson?
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Who is Scott Joplin?
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How did performing arts develop in cities?
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Who is James A. Bailey?
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Study Notes
Skyscrapers and Urban Infrastructure
- Elevators and steel frames enabled the construction of skyscrapers, allowing cities to maximize limited urban space.
- Electric transit innovations like streetcars, elevated trains (L-Trains), and subways facilitated easier commuting, reducing street congestion and expanding urban areas.
Key Bridges and City Beautification
- The Brooklyn Bridge, the largest cable-suspension bridge of its time, connected Manhattan to Brooklyn and featured a promenade for pedestrians.
- The City Beautification Movement emphasized the incorporation of parks and attractive boulevards into urban designs, enhancing city aesthetics.
Urban Planning and Innovations
- The City-Planning Movement emerged from progressive beliefs that cleaner cities foster better citizens.
- Innovations like steel-cable suspension bridges improved urban transportation, rendering ferries outdated and connecting neighborhoods more efficiently.
Growth in Literature and Entertainment
- Advances in production and printing technology led to increased availability of reading materials, making literature more affordable.
- Amusement parks were established near cities, providing leisure options that allowed residents to escape urban hustle.
Sports and Cultural Shifts
- Popular sports included baseball, basketball (invented by James Naismith in 1891), and football, reflecting the growing leisure culture.
- Bill "Bojangles" Robinson was a significant figure in tap dance, while Scott Joplin became known as the King of Ragtime, representing the flourishing performing arts scene.
Artistic Movements and Philosophy
- The Ashcan School consisted of artists capturing realistic depictions of urban life, highlighting societal issues.
- Pragmatism emerged as a philosophical approach aimed at reconciling the tensions among science, morality, and religion.
Transportation and Communication Advances
- Significant advancements led to the establishment of the first transcontinental airmail service by 1920, following the Wright brothers' pioneering flights starting in 1903.
- Urban planning focused on integrating parks and recreational areas, enhancing the overall quality of city living while promoting community well-being.
Social Dynamics and Civic Engagement
- Increased leisure time from industrial work allowed citizens to engage in sports and cultural activities, aimed at providing relief from the overcrowded urban environment.
- The collaboration between James A. Bailey and P.T. Barnum elevated the popularity of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, showcasing the entertainment industry's growth in American culture.
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Description
Explore the transformative period of life at the turn of the 20th century with this set of flashcards. Discover how new technologies like elevators and electric transit reshaped urban landscapes and everyday life. Test your knowledge of these pivotal developments in American history.