Ep 7. Cities

In season 1 episode 7 of America The Story of Us, titled "Cities", the focus is on how cities have played a critical role in shaping the nation's history and identity. The episode covers a wide range of topics, from the founding of the first American city, St. Augustine, to the rise of industrial cities like Chicago and Detroit, to the post-World War II suburban sprawl that transformed the American landscape.

The episode begins with a discussion of the importance of cities in the colonial period, with a focus on St. Augustine, Florida, which was founded in 1565 by the Spanish. The city was the first permanent European settlement in what is now the United States and played a key role in the Spanish empire's efforts to control the New World. The show also covers the founding of other early American cities like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, and how these cities became centers of trade, commerce, and culture.

The episode then delves into the Industrial Revolution and the rise of cities like Chicago and Detroit, which were transformed by the mass production of goods, the growth of railroads, and the arrival of millions of immigrants seeking work. The show highlights the ways in which these cities became symbols of American innovation and progress, but also reveals the darker side of urbanization, with unsafe working conditions, overcrowding, and environmental degradation.

Next, the show explores the impact of urban planning in the early 20th century, with a focus on New York City's Central Park and the City Beautiful movement. The episode examines how this movement sought to use urban design to create a more harmonious and beautiful city, but also how it was often driven by concerns about class and racial segregation.

Finally, the episode turns to the post-World War II period, when the American landscape was transformed by suburbanization and the growth of car culture. The show discusses the reasons behind this shift, including the desire for more space and privacy, the availability of cheap land, and government policies that encouraged homeownership. The episode also examines the impact of this suburban sprawl on cities, as well as the rise of new urbanism and the push for more sustainable, walkable communities.

Overall, "Cities" is a sweeping and engaging look at the history of urbanization in America, exploring the economic, social, and cultural factors that have shaped the nation's cities and the people who live in them. Through interviews with historians, urban planners, and ordinary Americans, the episode offers a nuanced and thought-provoking perspective on one of the most important and enduring aspects of American life.