Lifestyles from 1865-1929 (AM) timeline

These nomads traveled the Texas frontier in search for Longhorn Steer. Once the Steers were found, they would herd them to railroad terminals where they would receive their pay. The closest terminals were Abilene, Wichita, Dodge City, Kansas. The "cowtowns" that the cowboys lived in grew rapidly to accommodate the growing population. The Cowtowns had hotels, entertainment, and shopping areas for the Cowboys to spend their money. 1 1 Corbett, U.S. History, Chapter 17, Section 3

Many individuals rushed to California and the Dakota's in the hope to get rich on gold. The miners went from state to state and town to town in search for gold. They would make settlements that would eventually turn into ghost towns when they left. Mining towns were filled with alcohol, prostitution, and murder. As wealthier men came to these towns the lawless mentality began to leave. 2 2 Corbett, U.S. History, Chapter 17, Section 3

With the passing of the Homestead Act, many people moved west in hopes to build a life for themselves. Many people lived in horrible conditions. They only had homes made of sod to protect them. The area had droughts, blizzards, and insects that would ravage their crops. Most homesteaders could not maintain their farm and resorted to working at larger "bonanza farms" so they could pay their bills. 3 3 Corbett, U.S. History, Chapter 17, Section 2

Sears perfected the mail order market and intertwined themselves in the lifestyles of all classes. They created a catalog with everything that the consumer needed. They would advertise items from toilet paper to automobiles. The mail order market reached rural farmers who could not purchase items in town. With the increase of purchasing goods, larger marketing schemes came into place. 4 4 Corbett, U.S. History, Chapter 18, Section 4

Much of the working class population watched baseball in their pastime. For less than one dollar they could see two games, eat two hotdogs and a beer. Many new baseball parks opened in Pittsburgh, Boston, and New York. Baseball brought the working class closer together. This became a lifestyle for the working class population. They would work hard, and on their days off they would enjoy a good game of baseball. 6 6 Corbett, U.S. History, Chapter 19, Section 3

The invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell changed the lifestyles of millions of people. It allowed for much quicker interaction in society. By 1900, more than 1.35 million people had a telephone in their homes. The higher class had private lines. The rural and lower class used "party lines." The telephone also increased consumer culture. Instead of mail order, people would use phone order. 5 5 Corbett, U.S. History, Chapter 18, Section 1

Settlement houses gained popularity in the 1890's to help working class women. The settlement houses did not have a religious affiliation. The settlement houses offered a daycare, gym, classes, and free healthcare. The most known settlement houses were in Chicago and New York. This was an outreach for the working class population. The lifestyle changed from living in extreme poverty with poor sanitation to a secure living environment. 7 7 Hull House, "Excerpts from Hull House Weekly Program"

Thomas Edison invented the incandescent light bulb. This provided the population with a way of having light at a flick of a switch. This changed how society could interact with each other. People could stay out and entertain later. Everyone's lifestyle changed with the Edison bulb. With the use of AC electricity rural areas could receive power and light. Many of these bulbs were used in factories so employees could work later. 8 8 Corbett, U.S. History, Chapter 18, Section 1

George Westinghouse invented alternating current (AC) electricity. AC electricity allowed for power to be reached many miles more than direct current (DC) electricity. This made it possible for people to have electricity in their homes. This invention made it possible to use the Edison bulb in people homes. It also caused the boom of household appliances. Lifestyles changed, because with electricity, came appliances to make life easier. 9 9 Corbett, U.S. History, Chapter 18, Section 1

Coney Island consisted of multiple amusement parks on the coast of Brooklyn. At Coney Island people could see exotic wildlife, freak shows, and acrobats. They could go on fun rides. Mainly the working class attended these events. For 10 cents they could escape their work life, and modern day problems. This sided with baseball gave the working class a lifestyle that could be manageable. They could finally escape their problems momentarily. 10 10 Corbett, U.S. History, Chapter 19, Section 3

The average income of a factory worker was around 20 cents per hour. This also meant that 20 percent of factory workers were at or below poverty level. Factory workers worked ten hours a day for 6 days out of the week. They worked less than steel workers, but still worked in horrible conditions. Factory workers and train workers went on strike to get better wages, and better hours. Many of them lost their jobs in the process. 11 11 Broken Spirits, "Letters on the Pullman Strike"

Machine politics played a huge role in the way people got what they needed. If there was a street that needed paved. They could go through the hole process of putting in a request through the city, and waiting for a rejection, or they could use an alderman who would speak on their behalf. All they had to do was pledge to vote for a politician for the exchange. William Tweed was the largest Alderman at the Tammany Hall in New York. 12 12 Corbett, U.S. History, Chapter 19, Section 3

Selective service required all men twenty one through thirty to register for the draft. The age range increased to eighteen to forty five. Over ten million men registered for the draft on the first day. Many people opposed the draft and objected. Some objectors were sentenced to up to twenty years in prison or death. The draft caused many households to lose incomes. This required women to get jobs in factories to make money. 13 13 Corbett, U.S. History, Chapter 23, Section 2

Prohibition prohibited the manufacture, distribution, and sale of intoxicating liquors. It did not originally include consumption, but that was included one year later. Prohibition did not take place till one year after the war was over. Gangsters like Al Capone capitalized on this movement by selling the illegal substances. In 1933 prohibition was repealed. All classes wanted alcohol back after the war. 14 14 Franklin D. Roosevelt, "Presidential Proclamation to Repeal Prohibition"