American Cities: The Second Half Of The 19th Century

The second half of the 19th century was a period of significant change in American Cities. Industrialism, growing of labor unions, change in immigration Patters, growth in entertainment, development of political machines and bossism and significant changes in quality of life made the latter half of the 19th century full of dramatic growth, diversity and transformation of American Cities.
The era of Reconstruction (1870) to the end of the 19th century, the United States underwent an economic transformation marked by the expansion of the industrial economy, the rapid growth of big business, the development of large-scale agriculture, and the rise of national labor unions and industrial conflict. The transition from an agricultural to an Industrial …show more content…
The first came from the 19th century architect's perception that he had to continue with the traditional styles of their previous builders. Elements of these earlier styles were put together to give in an authority to town halls (Birmingham), railway stations (Euston, London), opera houses (Paris Opera) and legislatures (Houses of Parliament, London). The second characteristic came from the development of new materials as a result of the new industrial needs. In building, new forms - factories, warehouses, railway terminals, administrative centers, and hospitals were all demanded. In the mid years of the century, cast iron was used to structure large buildings such as warehouses and libraries. During the second half of the 19th century in the United States, it was the possibilities of cast iron and steel in the building of multi-story unit constructions that were most effectively developed. After the installation of the first safety elevator by Otis, it became possible to use as well as to build tall buildings. Skyscrapers started to appear, they were first seen in New