Progressive Era
Two kids suffering from poverty
From 1800-1920 people from all over the world flocked to the U.S cities as immigrants. Even a lot of the countryside folk that were already in the U.S. came to the cities looking for jobs because theirs were taken away by new mechanized farm equipment. These cities became very overcrowded, and many people suffered from poverty because they either didn't have a job, or they had very low wages because there was no minimum wage yet.
Politics the Chicago Way
The government didn't do very much to help. Actually they built on this for themselves to gain money and power. Politicians would act like they cared and tell people to vote for them and the politicians would do something for them in return. Either get a job or get a nice house were two of these bribes. These politicians were part of an organization called a political machine. This got them more money, and more power, and they got enough votes that they would do this again and again. The politicians forgot about the people they helped as soon as they were in office too, so the less fortunate would get no help whatsoever.