Urbanization: The Rise of Cities

Definition of Urbanization

• Urbanization: – The building of cities and the

movement of people from the country to the city.

• Urbanization was a defining feature of the Industrial Revolution.

Big Takeaways on Urbanization

•People were forced to live closer together in the cities.

•Conditions in the city were often unsanitary and unhealthy.

•Factory conditions resulted in class differences.

Urbanization in Numbers

England and Wales

Living in Cities Greater than 10,000

1801 21%

1891 62%

Living in Cities Greater than 100,000

1801 10%

1891 33%

France

Living in Cities Greater than 10,000

1801 10%

1891 26%

Living in Cities Greater than 100,000

1801 3%

1891 12%

Living Space, Ctd.

Living Space, Ctd.

Question:

• Why do you think we have laws about health and pollution today? What are some laws on the books today that protect citizens in regards to health and pollution?

City Conditions

• In addition to cramped living space, there were other social problems that came with urbanization:– There was a large gap between the

rich and poor.– Sanitation and illness became major

problems.

Factory Towns

“A Court for King Cholera”

Class Differences

• Major differences in the social classes. Differences made bigger by the changes in new economic and political ideas (we’ll talk more about this later!).

• Workers joined together in unions, voluntary labor associations. They would band together to bargain with factory owners, and strike if their demands were not met.

“Cheap Clothing”

“Effects of a Strike: Upon the Capitalist and Upon the Working

Man”

Unionization

• Combination Acts of 1799 and 1800: Outlawed unions.

• 1824: repeal of Combination Acts.• 1875: British trade unions win right

to strike and picket peacefully.• 1886: in US, several unions joined

together to form what would become American Federation of Labor (AFL).

Urbanization Today

• What are some results of urbanization in today’s society? What are some effects?