Urban Slum’s in New York during the 1800’s and early 1900’s were very common to the immigrants, Americans that were of different ethnicities, and lower socioeconomic classes. Jacob Riis was one of the first journalists to paint a picture of what the slums in New York looked like and how society could make a change. During this time period, there were new jobs being created in industrialization and there was a lesser focus on agriculture. Immigrants usually came over with very little money and their ability to obtain a job was limited since most jobs only wanted white men. The tenements that were available were very dingy, smelly, not up to code, and infested with rodents. They housed large amounts of people with very little space. Riis’ photos and articles on Urban Slums are still famous and made a large impact on how today’s tenements and living conditions exist.
The Story of Jacob Riis Presentation
This presentation discusses the story of Jacob Riis and how he impacted America when he presented the public with information on the urban slums in New York.
Urban Slums and How They Relate to Today’s Society: A Discussion with Dr. Rex Childers
This interview takes place with Dr. Rex Childers; a professor at Bowling Green State University. Dr. Childers has taught history for years and has helpful insight on Urban Slums and how they are tied to modern-day society. Throughout the duration of the video, the photos provided are mostly photos that were taken by Jacob Riis.
Selective Articles from the late 1800s-early 1900s that Involve Urban Slums
From Slums to the Fields: Organization Formed to Take the Surplus Urban Population Back to the Country
From the Lewiston Evening Teller
The first article selected describes how the slums are trying to relieve congestion. The idea is to move the people that are living in the slums, such as immigrants, out to farms, which are less populated.
Grover Cleveland, Philanthropist
From the Scranton Tribune
The second article discusses how Grover Cleveland;s land was transformed into a farm, in which boys from urban slums were transported. It talks about how not being in a crowded area, much like the slums, will improve the boys quality of life.
Truce in Mines May Not be Long
From the Tulsa Daily World
The last article describes the view of a journalist who finds the immigrants that are coming over to be “undesirable.” The article goes on to explain that the immigrants were undesirable and caused the slums creation.
This entry was created by Christopher Manning, Megan Pettit, Emily Gielink, Hannah Hawk, Vivica Grayson, and Miranda Counts.