The Accomplishments of Paris, Berlin, and Los Angeles, Research Paper Example

Western civilization has experienced phenomenal growth within the past two centuries. Paris, Berlin, and Los Angeles are only three major cities that have evolved into the wondrous modern day civilizations that they are today. As Western Europe and the United States experienced periods of economic and population growth, several changes to the infrastructures of the major cities were made.

All modern civilizations have different energy needs. The variations of needs within different cities rely heavily on factors such as population, pollution, and infrastructure. There are other factors that must be considered as well. Before electricity, most of the world relied heavily on oil lamps for their sources of light. The invention and use of electricity made it possible for the civilizations of the West to evolve immensely and to put energy to good use. Gone were the days of stench-filled out houses, oil lamps, and dark streets in the middle of cities. This new energy revolution led to better living conditions for many residents of Western cities. Eventually, it even leads to better living conditions in the main cities of Asia. Many things have been accomplished through the innovations of energy use throughout the 19th and 20th century. Street lamps have been invented; toilets were used in almost every modern home in the 20^th century, and life for the average person was no longer so much of a struggle.

Paris

Paris is a city that is well known for its arts and culture. However, before the 20th century Paris struggled with issues such as narrow roadways, urban sprawl, and an ineffective plumbing and sewage system. A large population of Paris did not have access to adequate water supplies for drinking and cooking. As a result, average life expectancy was short and diseases ran rampant; especially in the slums and ghettos of Paris. One epidemic in particular, known as cholera, was responsible for taking the lives of 20,000 Parisians in 1832. (Hall, 2001) There were also several other diseases that affected the residents of Paris before the 20th century.

Sanitation was a major issue for the residents of Paris during the 19th century. In the high-rise apartment buildings in what would be considered the slums, human waste was simply thrown down the stairs and was not properly disposed of. (Hall, 2001) These actions, coupled with many other factors are what most likely lead to the devastating bacterial diseases of the 19th century, including cholera.

Another issue that the Parisians faced was a growing population within the city. This growing population led to issues such as urban sprawl and the need for wider roads.

Due to Paris’ large population growth and the increasing problem with an inefficient sewage and plumbing system, many public works projects were on the way during the 19th and 20th centuries. These public works projects included improving sanitation throughout the city, building new and wider roads, and improving the overall quality of life for a majority of Parisians.

During Napoleon’s 19 years of leadership, he accomplished more than those who had ruled a century before him. (Hall, 2001) His dedication to improving the city of Paris by rebuilding some of its most vital infrastructures and paving new roads lead to a bigger and brighter city of Paris. Today, Paris is often looked at with wonder and awe. It is well known for its medieval architecture and its dedication to the arts. Parisians today enjoy a very high quality of life, which started from the innovations that were made during the early 19th century all the way through the 20th century. Today, residents of France enjoy access to universal healthcare and the average life expectancy is 80 years. This is almost double the life expectancy of French residents during the early 19th century.

Haussmann was also largely responsible for the restoration of Paris. He was a charismatic and likable person who easily rose through the hierarchy. (Hall, 2001) In 1854 he was able to successfully propose a budget which would include redevelopment plans for Paris. Paris’ restoration was slow but steady. Haussmann made several achievements, despite the state proving to be a consistent obstacle. He wanted to link the new suburbs to the old city and to create a road system that was more efficient and easier for travel. The reasoning for the project was simple; it would “free up traffic, give access to new stations, make suburbs accessible, clear the slums for healthier city, and create more safety for the residents.” (Hall, 2001) Haussmann’s work on the Boulevard included standard features such as wider pavement and lamp standards. This would allow for less traffic issues and more light for those who chose to travel at night time.

Haussmann was most likely the most influential person in the history of the restoration of Paris. His successes are numerous and his work such as the Boulevard can be viewed to this day.

Berlin

Berlin is another western city with a rich history. During the Industrial Revolution, Berlin became what New York is today. It was also important because it has some of the most sophisticated laboratories and scientists in the world. It was also one of the first places for laboratories to depend on government contracts and funds for research. Germany and the United States were heavily competitive for technical and economic leadership during the late 19th century and early 20th century. During this time, Berlin became a known leader in the automobile industry. There were three main areas of industry in which Germany and the United States competed; electrical goods, automobiles, and chemicals. (Hall, 2001)

The Germans distinguish between two types of electricity. One is a weaker current which is used in telephones and the other was known as a “true power current” and was used for industrial light and similar large-scale operations.

All of the innovations that were made in the area of electricity led to a variety of new and exciting industries around the world. By 1895, 15,000 people were employed by the electric industry. (Hall, 2001)

Berlin’s electrical industry had an enormous impact on Western Europe during the period of 1840-1913. Electrical engineering became a growing field.

The accomplishments in the field of engineering throughout Berlin were numerous. Companies such as AEG and S & H made stunning innovations in the field of electrical engineering. Both companies were responsible for developing the radio which eventually led to greater technological achievements such as the television, and even the cell phone and the computer. Siemens, a prominent scientist and electrical engineer, was completely new to the field of radio. While he had previous experience dealing with government agencies, creating devices for the consumer was an entirely new battle and proved quite challenging. (Hall, 2001) Siemens became an expert in communication technologies.

The electrical industry started out rather small, from quaint home workshops to large multi-room facilities accommodating several engineers and scientists. Berlin’s electrical industry mirrored that of the United States and other Western civilizations. It quickly grew during the late 1800s and exciting new technologies made life more convenient for the average person.

The radio was one major accomplishment as it gave people the ability to listen to music and to hear the news sooner and more accurately than ever before. Many people relied on the radio in order to know what the weather was going to be, what news was going on in their local community, and for general entertainment purposes such as radio shows and music. The success of the radio eventually gave way to the television, which was another asset that became a part of many people’s homes during the 20th century.

The electrical industry in Berlin was responsible for the creation and innovation of the modern technologies that people throughout the world are able to enjoy. Advances by electrical engineers in Berlin simplified life for everyday people and vastly improve the quality of military communications.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles, being located in the middle of the desert certainly had a difficult time starting out. However, this did not stop its development and expansion through dedicated individuals who had a vision for the city that became a reality. One of the first and most clever ideas on how to sell Los Angeles to other residents of America was to market its location factor. Unlike most parts of North America, Los Angeles had fairly warm winters without any snow. Another thing that sold Los Angeles was the fact that people came there willingly and not out of necessity. Those who came to Los Angeles came for the lifestyle, the culture, and the climate. (Hall, 2001) During the 20th century, even more people were attracted to California because of the California gold rush. Prospectors and those seeking to get rich quick found their way to California and consequently, Los Angeles. It has been argued that Los Angeles was the first postmodern city.

Another factor that contributed to the growth and development of Southern California was its light railway system, which made it unique among the more developed cities of the Western world. Frank Sprague created the electric train which was a major accomplishment for all of civilization. (Hall, 2001) The electric train made public transportation simpler and more energy-efficient. It was also much more cost-effective than the horse cars which needed up to eight horses to run and were often a very large expense that few could afford.

“In 1875, 70 percent of American railways used horses. By 1932, 97 percent were using electricity.” (Hall, 2001) Several factors separated California’s railway system from the ones throughout the Midwest and the ones on the eastern coast. The eastern and Midwestern railways connected larger cities with a myriad of industries and urban epicenters, while the railway system in Southern California connected rural towns and allowed people to travel freely about the countryside. (Hall, 2001)

The interurbans of Los Angeles were a large part of its growth. However, interurban proved to be risky business because their profits were too dependent on real estate gains. Because many entrepreneurs and business were so concerned with real estate they often neglected the important factor of rational transportation. (Hall, 2001)

The light rail system was also an important part of the Los Angeles economy and the economy of Southern California in general. Henry E. Huntington was the actual builder of the California light rail system. Unfortunately, he’s not very well known. He began his venture in 1901 with the winning bid of over $9000 for a franchise from Los Angeles to Long Beach. (Hall, 2001)

Great Cities of Western Civilization

Paris, Berlin, and Los Angeles are only three of the great cities of Western civilization. Their individual advances in technology and contributions to society have helped build a new and more educated world civilization. Paris was able to completely revolutionize the city by adding new roads and creating better sanitation and plumbing for its residents. Berlin was an epicenter of 20th century electrical engineering advancements. Los Angeles was responsible for the creation of the light rail system.

Works Cited

Hall, Peter. Cities in Civilization. unknown: Fromm Intl, 2001. Print.