Jacob Riis
Work(s):
- "How the Other Half Lives" (1890)
Subject(s):
- The living conditions of the urban poor in New York City, particularly in tenement housing.
What They Exposed:
- Riis used photography and vivid descriptions to illuminate the squalid conditions, overcrowding, and unsanitary environments in which many immigrants and the impoverished lived. His work highlighted issues such as poor sanitation, lack of ventilation, and the prevalence of disease, as well as the social injustices faced by the poor.
Result:
- Riis's work led to public outrage and significant reform in housing and living conditions. It contributed to the establishment of building codes and regulations aimed at improving housing for the poor and sparked broader social reform movements in the Progressive Era. Policymakers and philanthropists were motivated to take action, leading to the creation of social welfare programs, and reforms that addressed issues such as child labor and labor rights. His efforts also played a role in the early 20th-century push for urban reform, including the establishment of public parks and the integration of public health initiatives.
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