Question

station 3—jacob riis
what did jacob riis expose with his photographs?
how did the public respond?
give an example from the excerpt that describes conditions in the tenements.

Explanation:

1. What did Jacob Riis expose with his photographs?

Jacob Riis was a journalist and photographer. His photographs (from works like How the Other Half Lives) exposed the squalid, overcrowded, and unsanitary living conditions of poor immigrants and tenement dwellers in New York City during the late 19th century. He aimed to reveal the harsh realities of urban poverty and inspire reform.

The public response to Riis’s work was one of shock and outrage at the inhumane living conditions revealed. This led to increased public awareness and pressure for social reform. Politicians, activists, and citizens began to push for changes like better tenement regulations, improved sanitation, and housing reforms. His work influenced the passage of laws to improve urban living conditions and spurred the Progressive Era’s focus on social welfare.

(Note: Since the specific excerpt isn’t provided, a typical example from Riis’s work: He described tenements as “dark, airless, filthy holes” with “crowded rooms,” lack of proper ventilation, and families living in cramped spaces with little access to clean water or sanitation. For instance, an excerpt might state: “Every room is a bedroom, and the kitchen, if there is one, is also a bedroom. The air is foul, and disease breeds in the damp corners.” This illustrates overcrowding, poor air quality, and unsanitary conditions.)

Answer:

Jacob Riis exposed the harsh, unsanitary, and overcrowded living conditions of poor immigrants and tenement dwellers in urban areas (like New York City) with his photographs.

2. How did the public respond?