8.1 & 8.2: Modern Cities and Public Ed

Modern Cities• By 1900, 40% of the pop. lived in cities• Skyscrapers were made possible by two

inventions: steel frames and the _____________• Electric trolleys allowed people to commute

from suburbs

Modern Cities• City planners like Frederick Law Olmsted

argued that cities needed more parks & open spaces– He planned NYC’s “Central Park” and his sons

later planned the Cleveland Metroparks!

New Technology• Newspapers and magazines became more

popular & cheaper thanks to new printing presses• George Eastman’s 1888 “Kodak” camera made

photography easy for anyone• 1903: Wright Bro’s 13 second flight.

Public Ed• Until the 1890s, most children only went to school for a

few years• By 1900, many students stayed until high school– Science, civics, and history added to the curriculum– Industrial classes for boys; shop, metals, mechanics– Office/secretarial classes for girls– Christianity was often taught in public schools

Public Ed• Public schools were seen as the best way

“Americanize” immigrant children– But most black students, esp. in the South, were kept out

of even a basic education until the 1940s

• Industrial leaders, like Carnegie & Henry Ford, wanted their workers to take English classes and learn the “American way”

Public Ed• States began setting up state colleges &

universities– Prepared people for jobs the changing economy

needed (engineers, business managers, architects, etc.)