Changes

The 2008 population of the city was 637,000; Baltimore County had 786,000. The Baltimore Metropolitan Area had 2.7 million residents, making it the 20th largest in the country.  The Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area has a population of 8.3 million.

The 2008 population of the city was 637,000; Baltimore County had 786,000. The Baltimore Metropolitan Area had 2.7 million residents, making it the 20th largest in the country.  The Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area has a population of 8.3 million.

The city's  population rose from 20% black in 1940 to 60% today, and includes many  [[German Americans]], [[Italian Americans]], [[American Jews]] and [[Polish Americans]]. From the 1840s to the 1950s the city was dominated by [[German Americans]].

The city's  population rose from 20% black in 1940 to 60% today, and includes many  [[German Americans]], [[Italian Americans]], [[American Jews]] and [[Polish Americans]]. From the 1840s to the 1950s the city was dominated by [[German Americans]].  However the German American community was split along lines of religion and, apart from opposing prohibition, seldom voted as a unified bloc.  

In the 1940s Jews were concentrated in northwest Baltimore. Germans, Poles, and Italians —operatives and skilled workers in the city's diversified industries - lived in the south and east, near the harbor. The immigrants' well-defined row house neighborhoods in East Baltimore and Highland-town gave the city its ethnic flavor. The rowhouses in the south and southwest parts of the city, collectively known as South Baltimore, were homes to well-established Germans and Irish.

In the 1940s Jews were concentrated in northwest Baltimore. Germans, Poles, and Italians —operatives and skilled workers in the city's diversified industries - lived in the south and east, near the harbor. The immigrants' well-defined row house neighborhoods in East Baltimore and Highland-town gave the city its ethnic flavor. The rowhouses in the south and southwest parts of the city, collectively known as South Baltimore, were homes to well-established Germans and Irish.

The 1790s were hard times for the city. The Bank of England's suspension of specie payments caused the network of Atlantic credit to unravel, leading to a mild recession. The [[Quasi-War]] with France in 1798-1800 caused major disruptions to Baltimore's trade in the Caribbean. Finally, a yellow fever epidemic diverted ships from the port, while much of the urban population fled into the countryside. The downturn widened to include every social class and area of economic activity. In response the business community diversified away from an economy based heavily on foreign trade.<ref> Richard S. Chew, "Certain Victims of an International Contagion: The Panic of 1797 and the Hard Times of the Late 1790s in Baltimore," ''Journal of the Early Republic'' 2005 25(4): 565-613</ref>  

The 1790s were hard times for the city. The Bank of England's suspension of specie payments caused the network of Atlantic credit to unravel, leading to a mild recession. The [[Quasi-War]] with France in 1798-1800 caused major disruptions to Baltimore's trade in the Caribbean. Finally, a yellow fever epidemic diverted ships from the port, while much of the urban population fled into the countryside. The downturn widened to include every social class and area of economic activity. In response the business community diversified away from an economy based heavily on foreign trade.<ref> Richard S. Chew, "Certain Victims of an International Contagion: The Panic of 1797 and the Hard Times of the Late 1790s in Baltimore," ''Journal of the Early Republic'' 2005 25(4): 565-613</ref>  

 

George Peabody rose from humble beginnings to become one of the nation's most powerful businessmen. Based in Baltimore, Peabody developed an extensive network of financial and mercantile institutions that laid the groundwork for J. P. Morgan's financial empire. Peabody relocated to London in 1837 and later helped install the first transatlantic telegraph cables. During the 1860s, Peabody began his celebrated philanthropic career, endowing libraries and museums and aiding the poor on both sides of the Atlantic. Peabody's legacy inspired Andrew Carnegie and other captains of industry to offer some of their wealth to serve the public good.<ref> Elizabeth  Schaaf,  "George Peabody: His Life and Legacy, 1795-1869," ''Maryland Historical Magazine'' 1995 90(3): 268-285, </ref>

George Peabody rose from humble beginnings to become one of the nation's most powerful businessmen. Based in Baltimore, Peabody developed an extensive network of financial and mercantile institutions that laid the groundwork for J. P. Morgan's financial empire. Peabody relocated to London in 1837 and later helped install the first transatlantic telegraph cables. During the 1860s, Peabody began his celebrated philanthropic career, endowing libraries and museums and aiding the poor on both sides of the Atlantic. Peabody's legacy inspired Andrew Carnegie and other captains of industry to offer some of their wealth to serve the public good.<ref> Elizabeth  Schaaf,  "George Peabody: His Life and Legacy, 1795-1869," ''Maryland Historical Magazine'' 1995 90(3): 268-285, </ref>

===Blacks===

===Blacks===

Maryland was not subject to [[Reconstruction]], but the end of slavery meant heightened racial tensions as free blacks flocked to the city and many armed confrontations erupted between blacks and whites. Rural blacks who flocked to Baltimore created increased competition for skilled jobs and upset the prewar relationship between free blacks and whites. As black migrants were relegated to unskilled work or no work at all, violent strikes erupted. Denied entry into the regular state militia, armed blacks formed militias of their own. In the midst of this change, white Baltimoreans interpreted black discontent as disrespect for law and order, which justified police repression.<ref>Richard Paul F uke,  "Blacks, Whites, and Guns: Interracial Violence in Post-emancipation Maryland," ''Maryland Historical Magazine'' 1997 92(3): 326-347 </ref>

Maryland was not subject to [[Reconstruction]], but the end of slavery meant heightened racial tensions as free blacks flocked to the city and many armed confrontations erupted between blacks and whites. Rural blacks who flocked to Baltimore created increased competition for skilled jobs and upset the prewar relationship between free blacks and whites. As black migrants were relegated to unskilled work or no work at all, violent strikes erupted. Denied entry into the regular state militia, armed blacks formed militias of their own. In the midst of this change, white Baltimoreans interpreted black discontent as disrespect for law and order, which justified police repression.<ref>Richard Paul F uke,  "Blacks, Whites, and Guns: Interracial Violence in Post-emancipation Maryland," ''Maryland Historical Magazine'' 1997 92(3): 326-347 </ref>

Expanded economic activity brought many immigrants from the countryside and from Europe after the Civil War. Concerns for young, single Protestant women alone in cities led to the growth of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) movement. Given the practice of segregation in Baltimore, however, two YWCA's emerged, the (white) Baltimore YWCA founded in 1883 and the Colored YWCA founded in 1896. They merged in 1920.  

Expanded economic activity brought many immigrants from the countryside and from Europe after the Civil War. Concerns for young, single Protestant women alone in cities led to the growth of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) movement. Given the practice of segregation in Baltimore, however, two YWCA's emerged, the (white) Baltimore YWCA founded in 1883 and the Colored YWCA founded in 1896. They merged in 1920.  

===Progressive era===

===Progressive era===

Political reform began in 1895 with the defeat of the Arthur Gorman-Isaac Freeman Rasin Democratic machine. The great fire of 1904 destroyed 70 blocks and 1,526 buildings in the downtown, and led to systematic urban renewal programs.

Political reform began in 1895 with the defeat of the Arthur Gorman-Isaac Freeman Rasin Democratic machine. The great fire of 1904 destroyed 70 blocks and 1,526 buildings in the downtown, and led to systematic urban renewal programs.<ref>Christine Meisner Rosen, ''The Limits of Power: Great Fires and the Process of City Growth in America'' (1986) has a chapter on Baltimore.</ref>

Baltimore was a poorly managed city in 1890, despite its economic vitality. Already Boston, Chicago, and New York were moving to modernize their public works infrastructures and to support the construction of capital-intensive, technologically sophisticated sewer and water supply systems. Baltimore lagged behind the other American metropolises because of its culture of privatism and the politicization of its municipal administration. However, during the 1890-1920 period the city responded to the same concerns as Chicago, New York, and Boston. The increase in urban crises, particularly the 1904 fire and the deterioration of sanitary conditions, prompted demands for reform. Moreover, the municipal administration underwent a process of moralization and professionalization in the 1900s. Afterward, Baltimore modeled itself on the other American metropolises and chose to modernize its institutions and address the industrial and urban challenges of the era.

Baltimore was a poorly managed city in 1890, despite its economic vitality. Already Boston, Chicago, and New York were moving to modernize their public works infrastructures and to support the construction of capital-intensive, technologically sophisticated sewer and water supply systems. Baltimore lagged behind the other American metropolises because of its culture of privatism and the politicization of its municipal administration. However, during the 1890-1920 period the city responded to the same concerns as Chicago, New York, and Boston. The increase in urban crises, particularly the 1904 fire and the deterioration of sanitary conditions, prompted demands for reform. Moreover, the municipal administration underwent a process of moralization and professionalization in the 1900s. Afterward, Baltimore modeled itself on the other American metropolises and chose to modernize its institutions and address the industrial and urban challenges of the era.

When in 1918 the US government reversed its draft exemption for married workers and required all men to work in essential occupations or serve in the military, professional baseball players either enlisted or joined industrial baseball leagues. Company leagues included those of Bethlehem Steel, which had recreational leagues on both coasts that by 1918 represented a major-league level of competition. Sparrows Point, Maryland, a Bethlehem Steel company town, had a Steel League team, whose results Baltimore baseball fans followed closely. At the same time, fans also followed the draft status and 1918 season of Baltimore native [[Babe Ruth]], then playing with the Boston Red Sox and considering his own options, including joining an industrial league team. In September Bethlehem Steel, fearing competition with other leagues over professional talent, disbanded the Steel League. When the war ended in November, players such as Ruth were free to re-sign with their major league teams.<ref> Peter T. Dalleo, and J. Vincent Watchorn, III, "Baltimore, the 'Babe,' and the Bethlehem Steel League, 1918," ''Maryland Historical Magazine'' 1998 93(1): 88-106, </ref>

When in 1918 the US government reversed its draft exemption for married workers and required all men to work in essential occupations or serve in the military, professional baseball players either enlisted or joined industrial baseball leagues. Company leagues included those of Bethlehem Steel, which had recreational leagues on both coasts that by 1918 represented a major-league level of competition. Sparrows Point, Maryland, a Bethlehem Steel company town, had a Steel League team, whose results Baltimore baseball fans followed closely. At the same time, fans also followed the draft status and 1918 season of Baltimore native [[Babe Ruth]], then playing with the Boston Red Sox and considering his own options, including joining an industrial league team. In September Bethlehem Steel, fearing competition with other leagues over professional talent, disbanded the Steel League. When the war ended in November, players such as Ruth were free to re-sign with their major league teams.<ref> Peter T. Dalleo, and J. Vincent Watchorn, III, "Baltimore, the 'Babe,' and the Bethlehem Steel League, 1918," ''Maryland Historical Magazine'' 1998 93(1): 88-106, </ref>

===Depression and War: 1929-1950===

===Depression and War: 1929-1950===

Baltimore was a major war production center in World War II. The biggest operations were Bethlehem Steel's Fairfield Yard, on the southeastern edge of the harbor, which built Liberty ships; its work force peaked at 46,700 in late 1943.  Even larger was Glenn Martin, an aircraft plant located 10 miles northeast of downtown.  By late 1943 about 150,000 to 200,000 migrant war workers had arrived. They were predominantly poor white southerners; most came from the hills of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Tennessee. War mobilization brought federal pressure to unionize the work force, and by 1941 the leftist [[CIO]] had organized most of Baltimore's large industries, while the more conservative [[AFL]] also gained many new members.  By 1945, labor unions and ethnics had taken over local politics and liberal mayors enjoyed black as well as white support. The machine was led by Italian Catholic politicians such as  [[Nancy Pelosi]]'s father, Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr., who was mayor in 1947-59;  her brother, Thomas D'Alesandro III, was mayor from 1967 to 1971.<ref> Pelosi married and moved to San Francisco in the late 1960s.</ref>

Baltimore was a major war production center in World War II. The biggest operations were Bethlehem Steel's Fairfield Yard, on the southeastern edge of the harbor, which built Liberty ships; its work force peaked at 46,700 in late 1943.  Even larger was Glenn Martin, an aircraft plant located 10 miles northeast of downtown.  By late 1943 about 150,000 to 200,000 migrant war workers had arrived. They were predominantly poor white southerners; most came from the hills of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Tennessee. War mobilization brought federal pressure to unionize the work force, and by 1941 the leftist [[CIO]] had organized most of Baltimore's large industries, while the more conservative [[AFL]] also gained many new members.  By 1945, labor unions and ethnics had taken over local politics and liberal mayors enjoyed black as well as white support. The machine was led by Italian Catholic politicians such as  [[Nancy Pelosi]]'s father, Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr., who was mayor in 1947-59;  her brother, Thomas D'Alesandro III, was mayor from 1967 to 1971.<ref> Pelosi married and moved to San Francisco in the late 1960s.</ref>

===Recent===

===Recent===

Optimism returned in the 1990s. Despite continuing fiscal and social problems, Baltimore has begun to revitalize its business districts and neighborhoods through community organizations, the cooperation of local government and business, and federal aid. In recent decades the redevelopment of the Inner Harbor, and the gentrification of rundown neighborhoods have been major factors in Baltimore's resurgence.

Optimism returned in the 1990s. Despite continuing fiscal and social problems, Baltimore has begun to revitalize its business districts and neighborhoods through community organizations, the cooperation of local government and business, and federal aid. In recent decades the redevelopment of the Inner Harbor, and the gentrification of rundown neighborhoods have been major factors in Baltimore's resurgence.

Mayor Sheila Dixon, a Democrat, was forced to resign in 2010 as part of a plea bargain; already convicted of a misdemeanor for stealing donated gift cards intended for poor children, she was facing yet another trial on perjury charges.  

Mayor Sheila Dixon, a Democrat, was forced to resign in 2010 as part of a plea bargain; already convicted of a misdemeanor for stealing donated gift cards intended for poor children, she was facing yet another trial on perjury charges.  

==Religion==

==Religion==

Baltimore has long been a major center of the Catholic Church.  Important bishops include John Carroll (1735-1815, in office 1789-1815), Francis Kenrick (1796- 1863, in office 1851-65), and especially James Cardinal Gibbons (1834—1921, in office 1877-1921).  

Baltimore has long been a major center of the Catholic Church.  Important bishops include John Carroll (1735-1815, in office 1789-1815), Francis Kenrick (1796- 1863, in office 1851-65), and especially James Cardinal Gibbons (1834—1921, in office 1877-1921).  

In 1806-21 Catholics constructed the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, based on a neoclassical design by Benjamin Henry Latrobe. A $34-million restoration was based on Latrobe's original plans and was completed in 2006.

In 1806-21 Catholics constructed the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, based on a neoclassical design by Benjamin Henry Latrobe. A $34-million restoration was based on Latrobe's original plans and was completed in 2006.

The Methodists were well received in Maryland in the 1760-1840 era, and Baltimore became an important center.<ref> Dee E. Andrews, ''The Methodists and Revolutionary America, 1760-1800: The Shaping of an Evangelical Culture'' (2000)</ref>  Sutton (1998) looks at Methodist artisans and craftsmen, showing they embraced an evangelical identity, Protestant ethic, and complex organizational structure. This enabled them to express their anti-elitist or populist  "producerist" values of self-discipline, honesty, frugality, and industry; they denounced greed, and sought an interdependent common good. Such producerist views drew on aspects of the Wesleyan ethic, appropriated the commonweal traditions of eighteenth-century [[republicanism]], and initially resisted those of classical liberal, individualistic, self-interested capitalism. They also accorded well with and helped produce the emerging amalgam of American populist, restorationist, biblicistic, revivalistic activism that Sutton terms "Arminianized Calvinism."   

The Methodists were well received in Maryland in the 1760-1840 era, and Baltimore became an important center.<ref> Dee E. Andrews, ''The Methodists and Revolutionary America, 1760-1800: The Shaping of an Evangelical Culture'' (2000)</ref>  Sutton (1998) looks at Methodist artisans and craftsmen, showing they embraced an evangelical identity, Protestant ethic, and complex organizational structure. This enabled them to express their anti-elitist or populist  "producerist" values of self-discipline, honesty, frugality, and industry; they denounced greed, and sought an interdependent common good. Such producerist views drew on aspects of the Wesleyan ethic, appropriated the commonweal traditions of eighteenth-century [[republicanism]], and initially resisted those of classical liberal, individualistic, self-interested capitalism. They also accorded well with and helped produce the emerging amalgam of American populist, restorationist, biblicistic, revivalistic activism that Sutton terms "Arminianized Calvinism."   

Inside the Methodist Church the artisans were reforemers who focused on three substantive and symbolic targets, each of which would democratize Methodist conferences: lay suffrage and representation; inclusion of the local preachers, who constituted two-thirds of Methodist leadership; and election of the officers who carried the administrative, personnel, and supervisory power, the presiding elders. The appeals made on behalf of these democratizations, Sutton shows, drew imaginatively on both producerist and Wesleyan rhetoric.  By the 1850s Sutton shows that the corporate ideals and individual disciplines of religious producerism were expressed in trade unionism, in evangelical missions to workers, in factory preaching, in workers' congregations, in temperance and Sabbatarianism, in the Sunday school movement, and in the politics of Protestant communal hegemony.

Inside the Methodist Church the artisans were reforemers who focused on three substantive and symbolic targets, each of which would democratize Methodist conferences: lay suffrage and representation; inclusion of the local preachers, who constituted two-thirds of Methodist leadership; and election of the officers who carried the administrative, personnel, and supervisory power, the presiding elders. The appeals made on behalf of these democratizations, Sutton shows, drew imaginatively on both producerist and Wesleyan rhetoric.  By the 1850s Sutton shows that the corporate ideals and individual disciplines of religious producerism were expressed in trade unionism, in evangelical missions to workers, in factory preaching, in workers' congregations, in temperance and Sabbatarianism, in the Sunday school movement, and in the politics of Protestant communal hegemony.

 

The Appalachians and southern whites arriving in the 1940s brought along a strong religious tradition with them. Southern Baptist churches multiplied during the mid and late 1940s.<ref> Rosalind Robinson Levering, ''Baltimore Baptists, 1773-1973: A History of the Baptist Work in Baltimore During 200 Years'' (1973) pp 97-168.</ref>

The Appalachians and southern whites arriving in the 1940s brought along a strong religious tradition with them. Southern Baptist churches multiplied during the mid and late 1940s.<ref> Rosalind Robinson Levering, ''Baltimore Baptists, 1773-1973: A History of the Baptist Work in Baltimore During 200 Years'' (1973) pp 97-168.</ref>

==Famous sons and daughters==

==Famous sons and daughters==

* Argersinger, Jo Ann E. ''Making the Amalgamated: Gender, Ethnicity, and Class in the Baltimore Clothing Industry, 1899-1939'' (1999) 229 pp.

* Argersinger, Jo Ann E. ''Making the Amalgamated: Gender, Ethnicity, and Class in the Baltimore Clothing Industry, 1899-1939'' (1999) 229 pp.

*Arnold,  Joseph L. "Baltimore: Southern Economy and a Northern Culture," in Richard M. Bernard, ed., ''Snowbelt Cities: Metropolitan Politics in the Northeast and Midwest since World War II'' (1990)

*Arnold,  Joseph L. "Baltimore: Southern Economy and a Northern Culture," in Richard M. Bernard, ed., ''Snowbelt Cities: Metropolitan Politics in the Northeast and Midwest since World War II'' (1990)

* Bilhartz, Terry D. ''Urban Religion and the Second Great Awakening: Church and Society in Early National Baltimore''  

* Bilhartz, Terry D. ''Urban Religion and the Second Great Awakening: Church and Society in Early National Baltimore'' (1986)

* Durr, Kenneth D. ''Behind the Backlash: White Working Class Politics in Baltimore, 1940-1980'' (2003)  [http://www.questia.com/read/106480718?title=Behind%20the%20Backlash%3a%20%20White%20Working-Class%20Politics%20in%20Baltimore%2c%201940-1980 online edition]

* Durr, Kenneth D. ''Behind the Backlash: White Working Class Politics in Baltimore, 1940-1980'' (2003)  [http://www.questia.com/read/106480718?title=Behind%20the%20Backlash%3a%20%20White%20Working-Class%20Politics%20in%20Baltimore%2c%201940-1980 online edition]

* Elfenbein, Jessica I.''The Making of a Modern City: Philanthropy, Civic Culture, and the Baltimore YMCA'' (2001) 192 pp.

* Elfenbein, Jessica I.''The Making of a Modern City: Philanthropy, Civic Culture, and the Baltimore YMCA'' (2001) 192 pp.

* Fee, Elizabeth, et al. eds. ''The Baltimore Book: New Views of Local History'' (1991). 256 pp. guide to the history and culture of working class  neighborhoods; strong left bias

* Fee, Elizabeth, et al. eds. ''The Baltimore Book: New Views of Local History'' (1991). 256 pp. guide to the history and culture of working class  neighborhoods; strong left bias

* Hayward, Mary Ellen and Shivers, Frank R., Jr., eds. ''The Architecture of Baltimore: An Illustrated History'' (2004). 408 pp.

* Hayward, Mary Ellen and Shivers, Frank R., Jr., eds. ''The Architecture of Baltimore: An Illustrated History'' (2004). 408 pp.

* Phillips, Christopher. ''Freedom's Port: The African American Community of Baltimore, 1790-1860'' (1997)

* Phillips, Christopher. ''Freedom's Port: The African American Community of Baltimore, 1790-1860'' (1997)

* Rockman, Seth. ''Scraping By: Wage Labor, Slavery, and Survival in Early Baltimore'' (2009), 368 pp. social history [http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showpdf.php?id=24171 online review]

* Rockman, Seth. ''Scraping By: Wage Labor, Slavery, and Survival in Early Baltimore'' (2009), 368 pp. social history [http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showpdf.php?id=24171 online review]

* Sheads, Scott Sumpter and Daniel Carroll Toomey. Baltimore during the Civil War. (1997). 224 pp. Popular history

* Sheads, Scott Sumpter and Daniel Carroll Toomey. Baltimore during the Civil War. (1997). 224 pp. Popular history

* Steffen, Charles. ''Mechanics of Baltimore''

* Steffen, Charles. ''The Mechanics of Baltimore: Workers and Politics in the Age of Revolution, 1763-1812'' (1984)

* Sutton, William R. ''Journeymen for Jesus: Evangelical Artisans Confront Capitalism in Jacksonian Baltimore'' (1998) 351 pp. [www.h-net.org/reviews/showpdf.php?id=3302 online review]

* Sutton, William R. ''Journeymen for Jesus: Evangelical Artisans Confront Capitalism in Jacksonian Baltimore'' (1998) 351 pp. [www.h-net.org/reviews/showpdf.php?id=3302 online review]