Urban Disorder and the Shape of Belief: The Great Chicago Fire, the Haymarket Bomb, and the Model Town of Pullman

by Carl Smith

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the Haymarket bombing of 1886, and the making and unmaking of the model town of Pullman—these remarkable events in what many considered the quintessential American city forced people across the country to confront the disorder that seemed inevitably to accompany urban growth and social change.

In Urban Disorder and the Shape of Belief , Carl Smith explores the imaginative dimensions of these events as he traces the evolution of interconnected beliefs and actions that increasingly linked city, disorder, and social reality in the minds of Americans. Examining a remarkable range of writings and illustrations, as well as protests, public gatherings, trials, hearings, and urban reform and construction efforts, Smith argues that these three events—and the public awareness of them—not only informed one another, but collectively shaped how Americans understood, and continue to understand, Chicago and modern urban life.

This classic of urban cultural history is updated with a foreword by the author that expands our understanding of urban disorder to encompass such recent examples as Hurricane Katrina, the Oklahoma City Bombing, and 9/11.

 “Cultural history at its finest.  By utilizing questions and methodologies of urban studies, social history, and literary history, Smith creates a sophisticated account of changing visions of urban America.”—Robin F. Bachin, Journal of Interdisciplinary History

Genres: History

395 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 1995

Reviews

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smith looks at three major events in 19th century Chicago — the Chicago fire, a once-infamous anarchist bombing, and businessman George Pullman building a model suburb for his workers — to show how American society and its elites grappled with fears that cities were inherently and dangerously disorderly. Immigrants. The working class (who were assumed to be inferior in morals and culture to the middle-class). Criminals. Unions. Socialists. To the city's business leaders, they were all avatars of an underlying uncontrollable mob, so dangerous it justified using military force or Pullman's rather Big Brotherly town to put them under control. The theme of how people concive of and interpret disorder fascinates me; if the topic isn't for you, the book probably isn't either.

[Zak Yudhishthu · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the introduction, I wasn’t sure about how well this book’s very literary mode of analysis would work. By the end, however, I was convinced that Smith’s readings of these events is a uniquely powerful way to understand this dynamic, chaotic period of American urban history. The fundamental narrative history of these events is well-told, but the book really shines by trying to peel back the psyches of different groups in Chicago in this period.

[Kriukkriuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Using three 'events' in Chicago's history, Professor Smith shows how the media (press and oratory) affected views of those occurrences. All three events happened in the late 1800s as the country saw increased industrialization and immigration. The monied-class controlled the means of production, the media, and the government. The responses to these events heavily favored the propertied class and disparaged attempts by laborers to better their working conditions. Perhaps most interesting is comparing it to modern times where the media, means of production and more and more the government is controlled once more by the monied-class.

[Wes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someday I'll find a University Press book that isn't oppressively dry. This isn't that book.

I picked this up looking for more information on the Haymarket Riot, and received bonus information of the great Fire and the Pullman Strike as well. And while the writing is dense (and dry,) I've come away knowing more about late 1800's Chicago (and the US as well,) as a whole.

Current events make the central themes of the book, (the conflicts in society caused by class and economic divisions, combined with the treatment and perception of immigrants,) surprisingly relevant.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well written and engaging. It was dense but well constructed, he had really strong use of primary source material. I would have liked to see a little more tie in of the three events where possible and more consistent analysis of the themes of foreigners and the definition of manhood. Really enjoyed reading this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually quite enjoyed reading this book. It gives history but with an interesting perspective. I'd recommend this to anyone who is interested in human perspective, history, or the way people interact with one another.