Urban and Rural Concepts Quiz

Urban and Rural Concepts

• Urban areas refer to big cities that feature buildings, shops, lights, and significant populations.
• Rural areas consist of the countryside, characterized by lower population density, fields, and houses.

Housing and Living Conditions

• Tenements are dark, crowded multi-family apartments typically found in urban areas.
• Poor working people typically lived in tenement housing, facing harsh living conditions.

Political Structures

• Political machines are informal political groups established to gain and maintain power.
• Party bosses are the leaders of these political machines, exerting significant control over their operations.
• Graft involves the dishonest acquisition of money, often through bribery related to political dealings.

Immigration and Americanization

• Americanization involves the process of immigrants acquiring American traits and cultural characteristics.
• Steerage refers to the cramped quarters on ships' lower decks, where lower-fare passengers traveled.
• Ellis Island served as a primary entry point for European immigrants to the United States, while Angel Island catered to Japanese and Chinese immigrants.
• Nativism is characterized by an extreme dislike of immigrants, with sentiments often directed at Eastern and Southern Europeans.

Societal Issues

• Many immigrants left their countries to escape forced military service and religious persecution, especially Jews fleeing Poland and Russia.
• Immigrant adjustment often depended on how quickly they learned and adapted to English.

Urban Growth and Challenges

• The growth of cities led to rising issues such as increased crime, disease, and pollution.
• As land prices escalated, building owners constructed skyscrapers for urban expansion.
• The heart of the city was home to wealthy individuals, while suburbs were typically occupied by the middle class.

Cultural Shifts

• The result of immigration and industrialization provided labor for numerous industries, thus shaping societal dynamics.
• Leisure time became available due to industrialization, leading families to spend time together and engage in recreation.
• Working-class entertainment included amusement parks, reflecting a shift in leisure activities.

Education and Employment

• Immigrants frequently lacked money and education, highlighting barriers to integration within American society.
• The middle class expanded to include professionals like doctors, lawyers, and teachers, reflecting changing social structures.

Philanthropy and Individualism

• The Gospel of Wealth concept posits that wealthy Americans hold the social responsibility to engage in philanthropy to improve society.
• Realism emerged as a movement in art and literature that reflected authentic life experiences.

American Perspectives

• Industrialism and urbanization transformed how Americans perceived themselves within society.
• Horatio Alger was notable for illustrating the concept of individualism, emphasizing success through hard work.

Political Corruption

• Issues related to grafting, bribing, and corruption were prevalent among political machines.
• While political machines provided certain benefits, they were also criticized for their negative societal impacts.

Transportation Innovations

• Cable cars were an early form of mass transit first adopted in San Francisco, facilitating urban mobility.

Legacy of Wealth

• Philanthropy is defined as utilizing significant financial resources to advance social progress, highlighting the social responsibilities of affluent individuals.