I think in order for a city to be the center of urbanization it has to have a lot of resources. One Chicago was located right by the great lakes so it was accessible for international shipping. Chicago was the railroad center of the upper Midwest in order to trade lumber, meat, and grain. Later, Chicago turned into one of the largest steel producers and was the leader in the meat packaging industry. Third you need people for a city to thrive. As mentioned in the book Chicago was the second most populous city in America. Also the development of new technology such as cast iron supports and steel girders helped spark the skyscraper phenomenon. Overall a city has to have a good amount of resources to start off with, a prime location, and a lot of technology; all of which Chicago had.
After the Great Fire of 1871, Chicago experienced a period of rapid economic growth and development. Steel construction led to skyscrapers, and, as described in Larson's book, the meatpacking industry, combined with the city's role as a railroad hub, increased its national economic importance. Such growth requires population, and immigrants, also mentioned in the book, provided much of the city's labor force. Between the existing industrial areas of New England and the increasingly populated West, Chicago's Midwest location gave it geographic importance, especially in transcontinental transportation of goods. The city's "civic pride" stems from its rebuilding, and its selection as the host for the World's Fair was due in part by the funding pledges of the city's politically influential social elite, the millionaires of Chicago.
Chicago grew mainly as a result of various modes of transportation such as rivers and railroad systems. This allowed those searching for opportunity to travel to the city easy and efficiently. In addition, the Chicago River was connected to the Mississippi, which allowed it to take part in trade on a larger scale. The opportunity provided in the areas of mercantilism and industrialization led to a massive influx of hopeful workers, largely women looking for work as typewriters, seamstresses, and other occupations. The innovations in architecture made by Burnham and Root also drew a large portion of the population, as skyscrapers had not been built in any other city before.
Chicago was the center of American urbanization, because of its vast resources, ideal location, and of course its massive population. Also, this was a remarkable city, because of the way it basically rebuilt itself from scratch after the disaster in 1871. Chicago also had a great location, which allowed it to be a major trading area as well as a major center for the railroads. As the book mentions, Chicago was also the second most populous city, just after New York City. With a booming population and terrific resources, it prospered to become the center for American urbanization during this time period. - Saml
I think in order for a city to be the center of urbanization it has to have a lot of resources. One Chicago was located right by the great lakes so it was accessible for international shipping. Chicago was the railroad center of the upper Midwest in order to trade lumber, meat, and grain. Later, Chicago turned into one of the largest steel producers and was the leader in the meat packaging industry. Third you need people for a city to thrive. As mentioned in the book Chicago was the second most populous city in America. Also the development of new technology such as cast iron supports and steel girders helped spark the skyscraper phenomenon. Overall a city has to have a good amount of resources to start off with, a prime location, and a lot of technology; all of which Chicago had.
ReplyDeleteAfter the Great Fire of 1871, Chicago experienced a period of rapid economic growth and development. Steel construction led to skyscrapers, and, as described in Larson's book, the meatpacking industry, combined with the city's role as a railroad hub, increased its national economic importance. Such growth requires population, and immigrants, also mentioned in the book, provided much of the city's labor force. Between the existing industrial areas of New England and the increasingly populated West, Chicago's Midwest location gave it geographic importance, especially in transcontinental transportation of goods. The city's "civic pride" stems from its rebuilding, and its selection as the host for the World's Fair was due in part by the funding pledges of the city's politically influential social elite, the millionaires of Chicago.
ReplyDeleteChicago grew mainly as a result of various modes of transportation such as rivers and railroad systems. This allowed those searching for opportunity to travel to the city easy and efficiently. In addition, the Chicago River was connected to the Mississippi, which allowed it to take part in trade on a larger scale. The opportunity provided in the areas of mercantilism and industrialization led to a massive influx of hopeful workers, largely women looking for work as typewriters, seamstresses, and other occupations. The innovations in architecture made by Burnham and Root also drew a large portion of the population, as skyscrapers had not been built in any other city before.
ReplyDelete(This is Jenna, Mr. Ferguson)
Chicago was the center of American urbanization, because of its vast resources, ideal location, and of course its massive population. Also, this was a remarkable city, because of the way it basically rebuilt itself from scratch after the disaster in 1871. Chicago also had a great location, which allowed it to be a major trading area as well as a major center for the railroads. As the book mentions, Chicago was also the second most populous city, just after New York City. With a booming population and terrific resources, it prospered to become the center for American urbanization during this time period. - Saml
ReplyDelete