Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
pre-mechanization rural landscape that consisted of a large number of small farms was transformed
into one containing a comparatively small number of large farms. In 1920, (largely pre-tractor times)
6.5 million farms in the U.S. averaged 149 acres. Now about 2.1 million farms average about 430
acres. During the same period, farm population dropped from 31 million to 4 million. Cities absorbed
the brunt of the difference.
Changing economy
The mechanization of agriculture was symptomatic of a structural change in the overall economy
that witnessed an increase in industrial and commercial enterprises that were largely urban-based.
Manufacturing was particularly important because it afforded job opportunities for unskilled or semi-
skilled individuals who were either recent immigrants or recently forced off the farm. Thus, in 1870
the overwhelming majority of African-Americans were rural Southerners. Less than a century later, a
majority were urban dwellers, many of them holding factory jobs in cities outside of the former Con-
federacy.
Changing means of transportation
How big would a city be if every inhabitant had to walk to work? The answer is pretty simple:
Not very big at all. And in fact, that's the way things were long ago. When overland transport
was exclusively a matter of walking, horseback, carriage, and cart, it took a while to move
people and products meaningful distances. As a result, cities tended to be rather compact.
Over the years, however, changes in transportation have allowed people to live progressively farther
from their places of employment, thereby expanding the physical size of cities. Following are various
“urban transportation ages,” though not all apply to every city.
Pre-mechanization
Prior to about 1890, foot, carriage, or horse-drawn trolley accomplished most movement of people
and goods. This resulted in compact cities, the largest of which could be completely traversed in a 30
to 45 minute walk. Attached or closely-spaced housing was the norm.
