Chicago During the progressive era
The Progressive Era in the united states saw the creation and implementation of new laws that caused the quality of city life to increase dramatically. Chicago grew into a world city during this time.
Landscape Changes
Chicago's infrastructure changed greatly during the progressive era. The city had grown quicker than any city in the United States, almost entirely during the latter half of the 19th century. Its population increased to nearly 600,000 in 1890 alone. By 1900, Chicago had a population of nearly 1.7 million.
Due to its immense size, Chicago had to implement many infrastructural changes. One of the main changes was the implementation of electric streetcars instead of horse and buggy transports. The implementation of railroads as transportation between different sections of the city was also planned. One of the main projects finished during the progressive era was the creation of the sanitary and ship canal. This canal reversed the flow of the river so it flowed away from Lake Michigan, causing waste to filter elsewhere. This made the lake more sanitary. Paved roads were also added along the countryside.
Due to its immense size, Chicago had to implement many infrastructural changes. One of the main changes was the implementation of electric streetcars instead of horse and buggy transports. The implementation of railroads as transportation between different sections of the city was also planned. One of the main projects finished during the progressive era was the creation of the sanitary and ship canal. This canal reversed the flow of the river so it flowed away from Lake Michigan, causing waste to filter elsewhere. This made the lake more sanitary. Paved roads were also added along the countryside.
Societal Changes
Progressives in politics were determined to change the practices of industry and cities in the United States, leading to much-needed reform in city governing and in workplaces. Chicago's meat packing industry was one of the many in dire need of reform. The meat packers suffered due to unbearable conditions and low wages. Death on the job was much more common within factories such as these, and sanitation was almost nonexistent. Upton Sinclair, a progressive journalist, wrote about the meat packing industry in his book "The Jungle." In the book he follows an immigrant family and the hardships they face while working in the packing factory. The horrors described in the book caused federal acts to be put into motion to halt the poor business practices of the Chicago meat packing industry. This reform reinforced the quality of food in the nation, as well as the city of Chicago. Many other similar reforms took place in factories across the city, eventually cutting down on things like child labor, raising wages, and improving the quality of life.
Unfortunately, the ability to house the large amounts of people was still under contention. While living quality was much higher, tenements issued to the immigrants who worked in the large factories were still dangerous and cramped.
Unfortunately, the ability to house the large amounts of people was still under contention. While living quality was much higher, tenements issued to the immigrants who worked in the large factories were still dangerous and cramped.