1. Economic Transformations
1.1. Before
1.1.1. -The Bessemer Process was developed, making the production of steel easier and more efficient -Railroads were built, but were not completely safe and didn't stretch very far distances -The process to refine oil was constantly being revisited and reworked to make oil a more attainable material
1.2. During
1.2.1. -Steel allowed cities to construct taller buildings -Railroads were revamped with steel. This allowed them to expand, connected cities to each other, and continuing trade routes -Sewers were invented to clean the cities and provide a system to clear the streets of waste -Political bosses provided the struggling working class with public services, jobs and shelter (in exchange for votes)
2. Political Transformations
2.1. Before
2.1.1. -Cities were filthy and in ruins and the poor were living in this filth -The city needed to be restructured and this is where the political machines swooped in and gained their power...
2.2. During
2.2.1. -Political machines, a group of political leaders that promised the working class basic needs in return for their votes, emerged and gained overwhelming power. -Political Machines helped immigrants to find work and become naturalized. -The Know Nothing Party (or the America Party) developed, completely against immigration -Political Machines gave dangerous amounts of power to corporations. -Political Machines became corrupt and engaged in fraud and grafts
3. Social Transformations
3.1. Before
3.1.1. -Immigrants flowed into the city from Eastern and Southern European coutries -The low and working class lived in filth, the cities were unkempt and unsanitary -There was very litte free time for the working class because they worked such long days and there was no enforced labor regulation
3.2. During
3.2.1. -Immigration was regulated by the Immigration League; they only allowed a certain number of immigrants from each country -Resultantly, the populations in cities doubled -Political provided public services the the poor and immigrants -Lower classes became more educated after the Compulsary Education Law was passed -The lower class had more time to enjoy entertainment like sports and the theater -Public parks were created as a part of the "City Beautiful movement"