Originally published in 1969, this book summarizes the findings of a comprehensive survey of the successive roles played by the explosive constellations of cities in American history. The book examines how and in what respects the planting and developing of cities influenced and was influenced by the colonial settlement, the achievement of independence, the occupation of the continent, the development of industrial enterprise, the challenge of foreign wars, the fluctuations of a dynamic economy and the frustrations of social and political strife in a democracy. Illuminating selections from original source documents add many graphic details and give a human dimension to this interpretation.
Introduction 1. Colonial Ports – Cradles of Freedom 2. Cities in the Early Federal Period: to 1825 3. The First Urban Frontier: to 1835 4. Nurseries of Enterprise and Havens for Newcomers: 1830-1860 5. Urban Reconstruction and Diffusion: 1860-1890 6. Cities in the Progressive Movement: 1890-1910 7. The Emergence of Metropolitan Regionalism: 1910-1920 8. The Metropolis in Prosperity and Depression: 1920-1940 9. The Metropolis in War and Peace: 1940-1960 10. The Metropolis and the Federal Government Documents: 1. Boston in 1668 2. The Plan for Philadelphia in 1683 3. The Hat Act of 1732 4. The Iron Act of 1750 5. The Trade of Boston and New York 6. Boston in 1781 7. American and British Cities Compared 8. Jefferson to L’Enfant 9. Philanthropy and Culture in American Cities 10. Pittsburgh and Its Vicinity 11. Lexington, Louisville and Cincinnati 12. Lines Extending Across the Alleghanies 13. Technology and Enterprise in American Cities 14. Schools, Libraries and Factories 15. St. Louis and Its Steamboats 16. Tenement House Reform in New York City 17. The Ethnic Settlements 18. The Tammany Ring in New York City 19. Commercial Exchanges 20. The Sliding Scale in Franchise Rates 21. Settlement House Activities 22. The Pittsburgh Survey 23. A Civic Club 24. Skyscrapers and Ethnic Settlements 25. Designations of the Federal Reserve Districts 26. Regional War Industries Boards 27. Cities in the Nation’s Economy 28. The Greater Boston Movement 29. Detroit Battles Depression 30. U.S. Conference of Mayors Sponsors Legislation 31. The Work of the U.S. Conference of Mayors 32. Renewal: Battleground Against Slums 33. ‘The Shame of the States’ 34. Metropolitan Areas: Central Cities Versus Suburbs 35. Attempts to Unwind the Federal System 36. Metropolitan Interdependence and the Federal System 37. Race Riots and Their Causes – The Report of the Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders
Biography
Blake McKelvey was City Historian, Rochester, NY.
