Influences On the Growth of Chicago
In a span of just seventy years the city of Chicago grew in population from only four thousand five
hundred to an astounding two million two hundred thousand people. This unprecedented explosion in
population crowned Chicago the fastest growing city in the nation and possibly the world. It would seem
that a city of such exuberance controlled its own destiny, yet careful analysis of the surrounding
circumstances reveals that Chicago s incredible prosperity could be attributed to a multitude of factors
outside the city limits and even beyond the bounds of our nation. Within the United States there were
mainly two sources of vicissitude. These changes were inspired by large groups or populations and were
manifested in the form of trends. Equally, however, individuals influenced the immoderate success of the
city. In countries abroad, the major courses of influence on Chicago s success were the ambitions of
hopeful immigrants and the flood of desperate immigrants pouring into Chicago s near West side, each
bringing a unique offering. Chicago was very receptive, yet not always efficient, in perceiving the changes
brought onto the city and therefore much of its growth can be attributed to external factors rather than astute
planning and preparation. Many actions the city employed that ultimately encouraged growth were
responses to extraneous circumstances. The haphazard organization of Chicago in the eighteen hundreds is
evidence of this. Chicago, if acting on its own agenda, would surely have made more sufficient provisions
for the exploding population. Chicago s inability to plan could have been due to inefficient city officials or
measures. But it is more likely that the lack of planning is premises that the forces promoting growth were
externally influenced. Evidence that the growth of Chicago was externally influenced can be found in
many aspects of Chicago s history.
Chicago began its evolution as a small fur trading outpost that originally dealt mainly with the
Indians indigenous to the region. The inhabitants of the area were mainly young white males in search of a
quick profit. Things continued in this manner and the trading began to include the surrounding cities to the
East, North, and South. Chicago soon became a keystone trading community because of Westward
expansion. This expansion was the first externally stimulated factor that contributed to growth. Chicago, at
the time, was near the Western frontier and was the beneficiary of the Eastern state s expansion. This trend
brought people into Chicago and it grew as the nation continued to advance Westward, thus inviting more
opportunity to the growth of the city. Although it was initially the destination of the pioneers driving West,
it became a participant in the exploitation of the opportunities offered by the continuing trend. As the West
was inhabited and farmed, Chicago became important as a distribution point because of the natural overland
route linking the industrial areas of the East with the agricultural regions of the new West. Chicago was the
object of circumstances; its economy flourished and inspired settling because of the national course.
By the early nineteenth century Chicago had grown considerably and had attracted so many
inhabitants that certain social issues developed contributing to the perpetuation of growth. By the eighteen
fifties Chicago gained a reputation as an immigrant city; it was the most culturally diverse population in the
country. This was fortunate for the city because the reputation invited even more immigrants who came
from all over the world, bringing with them their trades and skills. An increased array of goods and
services is essential to the success of a growing city and graced Chicago with a means of expansion. Also,
once Chief Black Hawk was gone, and with the fear of Indians subsiding, the population of Illinois began to
grow. The increased population of the state naturally benefited Chicago. Again, all these factors were
determined beyond the powers of Chicago; they were fortunate developments that increased the
attractiveness of the city.
The Federal government s involvement was crucial to the success of Chicago and brought
opportunity. In 1803 Federal troops arrived in Chicago to organize Fort Dearborn. The Federal installment
played an enormous role in the development of the city because it inherently increased population and
because of its involvement in the fur trade. In 1816 the Federal government again blessed Chicago with
opportunity when Congress acquired land from the Potowatomee Indians. In 1851 John La Rauch created
the Federal Department of Health because of the multitude and intensity of diseases rampant in the city and
again Federal government contributed to Chicago s success. In 1860 Abraham Lincoln was nominated at
the National Convention of the Republican Party in Chicago and again attracted national attention. Illinois
government also influenced Chicago s growth. Illinois position on slavery played a key role. Being an
abolitionist state, it attracted Blacks from the South who realized the opportunities and desired the relative
freedom they could attain in Chicago. The harsh attitudes of the Southern states inspired the creation of the
underground railroad and Chicago became a critical crossroads in the arduous journey Northward to
Canada. All of these governmental issues, intentionally or not, had a profound effect on the city.
The location of Chicago had, perhaps, the most significant effect on the city s growth and success.
Chicago s natural resources are among the best in the country. The nutritious and fertile soil lent itself to
farming and was unparalleled by that of other regions. Also, being located on the shores of Lake Michigan
encouraged growth because of importing and exporting opportunities. The original fur traders realized the
significant value of the lake and took advantage by creating waterway trade routes between Chicago and
Michilimacinac. The routes soon included all of the Great Lakes and ultimately made their way all the way
to the Atlantic and overseas. To the West there was another invaluable resource for trade- the Mississippi
River. The Mississippi allowed trade with the South. As mentioned, Chicago s location midway between
the East and developing West established its important role between agriculture and industry.
At one time, more than half of Chicago s inhabitants were immigrants, making immigration a
contributing factor in growth. Situations like the Irish potato famine and that of the Swede s had a
substantial effect in Chicago. The democratic revolutions in Europe during the eighteen-forties also
inspired thousands to brave the perils of the Atlantic and settle in the city. People worldwide, dissatisfied
with the conditions of their homeland, sought a better life and Chicago was waiting for them. Because of
the wide diversity of ethnic groups already living there, Chicago had a high tolerance for such a diverse
population. These factors and decisions made thousands of miles away fed the already monstrous and
growing population of Chicago.
The development of a common means of transportation allowed the outward expansion of Chicago
and strengthened the link between the city and the surrounding Hinterlands. Until this development,
Chicago was a walking city . Workers, without transportation, had to live close to the industries that
supported them and their families. Chicago employed means of public transportation, newly made
available, and the city expanded with homes gradually being moved out of the downtown area. Halfway
across the country another development was made that opened Chicago to the country. The golden spike
was laid, thus completing the Transcontinental Railroad and uniting the East and West. Chicago, among
other cities, benefited greatly by the connection. Another invention vital to this purpose was John Deere s
steal plow. The steal plow enabled more efficient farming and soon farmers were able to create surplus
crops that could be exported. Later, another invention came that ultimately benefited Chicago- the grain
elevator. With increased crops, a more efficient means of transferring them, and because of its location,
Chicago became the busiest port in the country.
Chicago, fortunately, was able to take complete advantage of opportunities developing outside city
limits. The measures taken were designed to accommodate the overwhelming rush of population into
Chicago rather than to spur growth. Even at its decided rate of growth, Chicago could not keep up and was
in no position to concentrate on further expansion. Chicago s fortune was the result of a changing world
and pure circumstance. The city s attention was focused on improving conditions as people poured in and
made their stake on the American dream. There was no time for action, only reaction. Chicago was
running in front of a train with its shoes tied; just trying to keep one step ahead.
BACK HOME