Chicago is certainly swept up in change when the World's Fair comes to town. As The Devil in the White City reveals, the turn of the century brought along with it changes in gender roles, culture, architecture, politics, and much, much more. Women were leaving the 'burbs to live and work in cities. New inventions like Edison's lightbulb were bringing society into a newly modernized world. And labor unions were beginning to find voices through leaders like Chicago's mayor Carter Harrison.
While some of these changes were here to stay, others—like the White City and the jobs it created—didn't last.
Questions About Change
- How Chicago change as a result of the fair?
- Why did Chicago hope to change its national image? What role did the fair play in this?
- Do any changes have a harmful effect on Chicago?
- Did changes in Chicago reflect changes occurring across the nation?
Chew on This
Chicago had been changing before the fair came to town. The Great Fire of 1871 prompted the city to transform into a meatpacking industry powerhouse.
Chicago changed as a result of the World's Fair. People came to see the city as one of immense pride, determination, and culture.