Economic Growth in US Spurred by New Innovative Technologies - Essay Example

The last 30 years of the 19th century was a time in the United s history that was defined by economic growth spurred by new innovative technologies. The greater overall levels of prosperity lead to a massive population growth in this country. For example the city of New York had a population of 468,492 in 1869, twenty years later the population had grown to 1,093,701 inhabitants (Riis). The cities became overpopulated and there was a need to expand away from the cities into the suburban areas. Society was in need of more housing for the new residents that were entering the country either through immigration or through natural birth. The most influential factor that spurred the economy during this era was the construction industry. This paper analyses the economic growth and technological development that defined suburban ideas in the United States from 1870 to 1900. There were big changes during this era in the capability humans had to travel longer distances in shorter periods of time. New technological breakthroughs in transportation systems shorten the distances between rural areas and cities. Some of the key transportation technologies that appeared during this era were the cable street car, the electric trolley and elevated railroads (Wright 92). With the ability to travel further distances the population and families were able to move away to intermediate regions between the city and rural space, thus the suburban neighborhood were born. At this time construction of homes picked up and and entrance into the middle class was defined by ownership of a home (Beecher 47). The demand for housing skyrocketed, but at any other point in time in the past a higher demand would not have translated into a higher supply of housing due to technological constraints. Luckily along with desire and new transportation conveniences the industrial revolution brought with it new technologies that vastly increased the ability of the construction industry to produce materials and build homes at faster rates due to the steam powered machinery created in this era. Chicago became the most powerful city in the building industry. They became the top manufacturer of key raw materials such as lumber and other building products. This city became one of the richest cities in the United States in this era. The building industry showcased in this city utilized took advantage of all the technological advances to increase its production which included power stem powered machinery, new patented chemical plasters, top of the line railroad infrastructure for logistic transportation purposes and improvements in plumbing and heating technology (Wright 94). The levels of income of United States residents increased dramatically due to the furry of construction of homes and apartment buildings. National per capita income increased from $237 per capita in 1870 to $492 per capita by the year 1900 (Wright 93). Prosperity led to population growth to the increase in the size of cities and the creation suburban neighborhoods. Cities grew in size by expanding its city limits to greater lengths, a move that was possible with the advances in transportation systems. By creating larger cities with more buildings, the municipalities created a larger tax base that generated greater levels of national revenue (Wright). The cities became overcrowded with new types of workers including immigrants that came to America which was considered the land of opportunity. The immigrants brought a new base of cheap labor for the factories and helped the real estate economy by paying expensive rents to real estate owners (Riis). The cities became overcrowded places in which social deviance was a common occurrence. Among the types of undesired behavior occurring in the cities were robbery, gambling, alcoholism, drug consumption, prostitution among other crimes. The new middle class of America desired a better place for their families to live in and raised their children. The suburban neighborhoods established a few miles after the city limits became that place. In the suburbs there was lots of construction of new homes for the new middle class. The men were able to commute to work from the suburbs into the city. In these new neighborhoods life was totally different than in the city. Women desired to have their husband living in the a big house away from the city to keep the men away from temptation city life provides (Wright 62) The big home provided a safe place to raise a family. These large homes created a positive economic impact of building the homes for the nation, but the inside of the home also moved a lot the economy since furniture, kitchen appliances and decoration generated lots of sales. Woman entertained themselves fixing up their homes in order to create a home as beautiful as possible since a home well taken care was a sign of prosperity and higher social status. The men had a safe haven in their homes to relax, read in their libraries and play with their children (March 65). Family life and true American values were created in these homes in the suburban. The men traveled to work everyday to the cities utilizing the new transportation technologies. The railroad industry capitalized on Americans moving into the suburbs and their new commuting necessities. They expanded their operations knowing the demand for the service was there. The railroad industry created sales by providing new attractive offers such as all you can use inexpensive monthly tickets. These tickets were purchased by the men, but also the husband bought tickets for the wife so the woman could take advantage of the types of goods available in the department stores and other commerce within the cities. Shopping was considered a great responsibility for women since it involved acquiring the food and items to make the home a better place to live in. Women also had the responsibility of providing education for the children, at the time state education provided only four years of schooling for children. A comfortable home with a good library to study was a necessity to teach children good social manners along with other educational courses. Providing a good education to the children ensured they learned proper values such as sobriety, honesty and capacity to work hard which were essential traits needed to achieve economic success in adulthood (Marsh 66). During the last quarter of the 19th century the United States enjoyed economic growth spurred by new technological advances and the construction industry. A new middle class was born during this era of workers with job security. The population grew a lot and cities became overpopulated. Out of the necessity to find a better place to live the suburbs were born. The true sign of entrance into the middle class was to own or rent a suburban home. Families were able to move into the suburb because the husband was able to commute to work into the cities because of the creation of new faster and more efficient transportation systems during this era. This era was a golden age in American history due to the economic prosperity and the philosophical and lifestyle changes that occurred among American families. Works Cited Beecher, C. “Catherine Beecher Outlines the Proper Role of Women”. Harpers New Monthly Magazine 31 (November 1865). Riis. “Chapter III: The Mixed Crowd”. Riis. “Chapter V: The Italian in New York”. Riis. “Chapter XXIV: What Has been Done”. Marsh, M. “Suburban Men and Masculine Domesticity, 1870-1915”. American Quarterly 40.2 (1988). Wright, G. “Building the Dream a Social History of Housing in America”. 1988. Pantheon Books. Wright, G. “Moralism and the Model Home: Domestic Architechture and Domestic Conflict in Chicago, 1873-1913”. 1980. The University of Chicago. Read More