mass+society+presenation+notes+period+4

Late 19th Century Society: Transformation of the Urban Environment • Populations dramatically increased in cities such as London and Berlin. • The government took responsibility for public health issues so living conditions became more sanitary and living improved. • Urban populations grew faster than the general population primarily because of the vast migration of rural areas of cities. • People were drawn to the cities from the country sides for employment, economics, and better living conditions. • The size of cities in industrialized countries expanded. • Water systems improved, bringing accessible clean water into the city. • Sewage systems improved, creating the means for expelling waste and improving the quality of cities. • Two major factors that led to an increase of population were new medical discoveries and environmental conditions. • Over 3.5 million oppressed minorities emigrated from Europe and migrated to the United States, Canada, or Latin America. • New means of transportation were created, such as the streetcar and train lines, which enabled the working class to live and commute to and from suburban areas.

Social Structure of Mass Society 1. The traditional aristocracy and the wealthy industrialists began to merge into one elite class, the plutocrats.

2. Economically, aristocrats were losing ground to the upper middle class; however, they maintained their dominance in military/diplomatic posts.

3. The middle class expanded during the latter half of the 1800s.

4. Middle class values, of hard work, progress, science, propriety, and Christianity, predominated.

5. Merchants, professionals, engineers, shopkeepers, and managers were all part of the middle class.

6. The new white collar workers were poorer than the middle class but belonged to the bourgeoisie mindset and had middle class aspirations.

7. White collar workers emerged during the second industrial revolution. Many were working class women who wanted to improve their lot.

8. The lower classes made up almost 80% of the European population.

9. Agricultural workers were outnumbered by industrial workers, especially in Western Europe.

10. Conditions for the working class improved during the second industrial revolution: trade unions often succeeded in getting shorter work days, and because of the laws of supply and demand goods were cheaper.