Settlement Houses and Their Impact

Settlement houses were established in urban areas during the Gilded Age to alleviate poverty and foster interactions between social classes. Hull House, founded by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr, was a notable example. The movement, rooted in mid-19th century England, educated middle-class volunteers about poverty and working conditions, leading to its spread across American cities. It prompted legislative changes for public amenities and labor regulations. Settlement houses provided education, job opportunities, and social work, especially for women. Despite their positive impact, they faced criticisms for discrimination and cultural imposition.

What was the primary objective of settlement houses during the Gilded Age?

• To provide luxury housing for the wealthy

• To create exclusive clubs for immigrants

• To alleviate poverty and promote interactions between social classes

• To establish political dominance in urban areas

Which organization was inspired by the Social Gospel and established in Chicago?

• YMCA

• Salvation Army

• Toinbee Hall

• Hull House

Who were the founders of the Hull House?

• Shelby Devil and Wilson Battle

• Mary Richmond and Lillian Wald

• Dorothea Dix and Clara Barton

• Jane Adams and Ellen Gates Starr

What was the three Rs motto of the settlement house movement?

• Residence, Research, Reform

• Rest, Relaxation, Recreation

• Reading, Writing, Arithmetic

• Respect, Responsibility, Resilience

How did the settlement house movement impact middle-class volunteers?

• It provided them with financial benefits

• It educated them on poverty and harsh working conditions

• It isolated them from the impoverished

• It offered them political power

Which cities saw the spread of settlement houses due to the movement?

• New York, Boston, Philadelphia

• Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle

• Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas

• Miami, Houston, Dallas

What legislative changes were pushed by the settlement house movement?

• Building of public parks and libraries

• Creation of luxury apartments

• Establishment of private schools

• Development of shopping malls

What new field of work was started by the settlement house movement?

• Social Work

• Law

• Medicine

• Engineering

What was one of the main challenges faced by settlement houses?

• Discrimination towards African-Americans

• Overpopulation

• Lack of volunteers

• Excessive funding

Despite their shortcomings, what positive impact did settlement houses have?

• They created exclusive clubs for the wealthy

• They were a source for great social reform and positive societal change

• They eliminated poverty completely

• They promoted isolation among social classes