Nature's Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West

In what ways can the development of Chicago and the American West be viewed as a narrative of personal exploration as well as a desire for economic well-being?

What is the perception of a “central city” and how does that perception change throughout the development of the West in the 19th century?

Railroads brought a myriad of advantages and disadvantages to merchants and retailers settling the West. Compare and contrast some of the benefits and drawbacks of railroad technology. In what ways have similar technologies impacted growth in the United States since the 19th century?

How did people’s understanding of supply and demand change during the 19th century? What industry seemed to contribute most to this understanding? Why?

Discuss how Cronon’s reinterpretation of Central Place Theory serves as a new way to understand the growth of Chicago and the American West.

Cronon addresses advancements in both physical and abstract means of producing capital and sustaining the market economy. How do these physical tools for agriculture and abstract innovations like futures markets work together to create a strong economic landscape?

What are some of the leading arguments for the preference to live and work in the city by the late 19th century? How has increased information about the city environment negatively impacted rural farm life?

In what ways can we interpret the World’s Columbian Exposition, or World’s Fair, as a metaphor for the chaotic city life that developed out of the rural hinterland?