American urban growth in the late nineteenth century

Growth of American Cities in the 19th Century:

In the 19th century, the United States experienced an era of speedy urbanization. American cities were subjected to a massive change due to the industrial revolution and the nation's change in status. During this period, the United States also changed from a small agricultural country to a key commercial and industrial power (Excalibur par, 1). With most American cities functioning as cities at the beginning of the nineteenth century, a very small percentage of the population was urban. For thousands of years, it took almost the total population to grow enough food to feed everyone. Like any other society, the growth of American cities depended greatly on the efficiency of agriculture.

It's important to note that the early United States was mainly rural with the Southern part almost completely rural ("Urbanization of America" par, 1). In fact, the number of Americans living in the rural areas exceeded the number in cities until 1920 and in the 1990s; three of four Americans lived in urban settings. The most fashionable place to live in until mid 19th century was the center of the city. In the back alleys and courtyards of the central city poor people lived while merchants, manufacturers and lawyers built townhouses within walking distances of their workplace. On the other hand, middle class people lived a little farther from the center with other poor people living in the suburbs far from urban amenities. During this period, cities were densely populated because people lived within walking distances of work and streets were narrow enough to accommodate pedestrians and wagons.

Urban life was soon transformed by the industrial revolution of the 19th century which gave people high expectations of improving their standards of life. Many Americans began to migrate to cities due to the increase in number of jobs, technological advancements in transportation and construction of houses. City boundaries also expanded as a result of the development of railroads, streetcars and trolleys. Americans sought for neighbors of similar social status due to the more choices about where to live. As the wealthy people no longer had to live in the center of the city, the central business district was characterized by retail shops, office buildings and light manufacturing.

In America, the industrial revolution started just before the beginning of the 19th century. Prior to this, 6% of the United States' population lived in urban areas with close to 90% of practicing agriculture. This figure later fell to 50% in the following century meaning that every farmer could produce twice of what they required for themselves. American cities grew as a result of the enhancement in agricultural efficiency brought by the development of agricultural machinery. Agricultural machinery made manual labor of farming redundant because of large equipment which hastened agricultural productions. As a result, a very smaller proportion of the country's population could meet the entire nation's agricultural needs.