The dramatic growth of American cities between 1800 and 1860

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rapid growth of cities during this time period led to overcrowding and unsanitary conditions, which contributed to the spread of diseases like cholera and yellow fever. Poor sanitation and lack of proper waste disposal systems also contaminated drinking water, further exacerbating health risks.

Answer: A 
 While there were certainly health risks associated with urban living during this time period, improvements in public health infrastructure and medical knowledge did lead to a decrease in the death rate compared to previous eras.

Answer: B 
 There is no evidence to suggest that urbanization directly contributed to a decline in the birthrate during this time period. However, some historians argue that changing social attitudes towards population growth and family size may have played a role.

Answer: D 
 The federal government did little to regulate immigration during this time period, as there was a great demand for labor in urban factories and other industries.

Answer: E 
 While there were certainly political conflicts between rural and urban residents during this time period, these conflicts were not always sharp or directly related to the growth of cities. Many other factors contributed to tensions between farmers and urbanites, including economic competition and differences in cultural values.

The Dramatic Growth of American Cities Between 1800 and 1860