American History II

One of the wonders of the modern world is the influx of modern ideas and the continuing improvement of the quality of human lives. The contemporary society caters to the innovations on the lifestyles and needs of people. Due to the inevitable changes in the needs of people and the creations of their productive and innovative minds, they develop dwellings that fit people’s needs. As a result, cities have been created and are continuing to grow with the process of industrialization and modernization. Cities render various advantages to its settlers. One of its main advantages is the promotion of commerce.

The degree of civilization and knowledge existing in a country can be estimated through the proportion of the population living in the towns and cities. In cities, the different aspects of the city is developed and improved. There are also people offering the same trade and services. Thus, there is infinite rivalry, which leads to improvement (Dana, 1848). Cities were originally founded by individuals who congregated for the purpose of national protection and defense. However, in countries with well established governments, men only resort to settling in the urban due to its advantages.

The high scale and affluence of the business transactions in cities could not be found elsewhere. Furthermore, the subdivisions of employments offer various fields of exercise in different skills and talents (McCulloch, 1852). As a result, cities became the center of political and economic freedom. In the medieval era, cities were concentrated by entrepreneurs who profited from the restrictions of the lords and the vassals. Nowadays, cities are also the center of the political and economic arena (Lachmann, 2002). The development of cities also has negative implications.

The increasing concentration of the population in cities tends to congest the dwelling and cause little social and economic mobility. High concentrated places are also characterized by poverty due to the numerous structural factors in the urban environment (Gilbert, 2004). In addition, the standard of living becomes low, and people are having a difficult time in seeking for employment due to the numerous people seeking for jobs. Urbanization also poses a threat to the environment, industries and factories continue to grow and come out that may bring substances and elements noxious to our environment (Gilbert, 2004).

Due to the growing problems brought by urbanization and congesting cities, the U. S. government began its attempts to address these problems through the implementation of various programs which aim to help the citizens in the cities. They improved their healthcare and social welfare to help people without homes and employment. They also strengthened the laws which aim to protect the people and the environment in the noxious effects of urbanization. References Dana, W. B. (1848). Merchants’ Magazine and Commercial Review. New York: Published At 142 Fulton Street. Gilbert, M. A.

(2004, April). More than job creation: A case study of empowerment zones and opportunities for economic mobility (Abstract). Paper presented at the annual meeting of the The Midwest Political Science Association, Palmer House Hilton, Chicago, Illinois. All Academic. Retrieved August 11, 2008 from http://www. allacademic. com/meta/p83598_index. html. Lachmann, R. (2002). Capitalists in Spite of Themselves. New York: Oxford UP. McCulloch, J. R. (1852). A Dictionary, Practical, Theoretical, and Historical, of Commerce and Navigation. London: Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans.