Ricky De la Garza

John D. Rockefeller

John D. Rockefeller contributed to the unchecked rise of urban industrial monopolies during the late 1800s. His dominance over the oil industry highlighted the need for government intervention in business practices. Urban workers and consumers faced exploitation due to the lack of competition, leading to demands for antitrust laws. His actions ultimately prompted the trust busting efforts of the Progressive Era, culminating in the breakup of Standard Oil in 1911.

Jacob Riis

Jacob Riis was a journalist and photographer who brought national attention to the awful living conditions in urban areas with his 1890 publication "How the Other Half Lives." His work exposed the overcrowding, poor sanitation, and unsafe housing conditions that immigrants had to go through in New York City. Riis’ efforts led to greater public awareness of urban poverty and directly influenced housing reforms, such as the New York Tenement House Act of 1901.

Muller V. Oregon (1908)

In the Muller v. Oregon case a law was upheld which limited women’s work hours in factories and laundries showing a victory for urban labor reformers. The decision recognized the state’s role in protecting workers' health, specificaly in the dangerous and exploitative conditions common in urban industries. This case set a precedent for other labor reforms aimed at improving working conditions for the growing urban workforce.

the panic of 1907

The Panic of 1907 revealed the vulnerabilities of the American banking system specifically in the rapidly growing urban areas. The financial crisis was caused by unregulated banking and speculative investments which then led to widespread bank failures and economic hardship in cities. The urban poor were particularly affected, prompting reforms like the creation of the Federal Reserve System in 1913 to stabilize the banking industry and prevent future panics.

The New York Tenement House Act (1901)

The New York Tenement House Act of 1901 was a critical reform that addressed the unsafe and unsanitary living conditions in urban areas or "Tenements". The act required new buildings to include better ventilation, indoor plumbing, and fire safety measures, which helped in improving the quality of life for many urban dwellers. This law marked an important step in addressing the overcrowded and hazardous housing that reaped across the rapidly growing cities.

Lochner V. New York (1905)

In Lochner v. New York, the Supreme Court struck down a state law limiting bakers' working hours, arguing it "interfered with the freedom of contract between employers and workers". This decision negatively affected efforts to improve working conditions in cities and had undone years worth of progress, where laborers, often in overcrowded factories, worked long, grueling hours. It was a setback for urban labor reformers seeking government intervention in workplace regulation.

Sherman Antitrust act (1890)

The Sherman Antitrust Act was the first federal law aimed at breaking up monopolies and addressing the issue of unchecked corporate power that affected urban industries. By targeting monopolistic practices, the law sought to keep fair competition, specifically in cities dominated by large corporations like Standard Oil. Though not fully enforced initially, it became a key tool for trust busting during the Progressive Era, as urban workers and consumers faced exploitation from corporate giants.