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- Herausgeber: Emily Whiteman
- Kategorie: Sachliteratur, Reportagen, Biografien
- Sprache: Englisch
From the construction of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge to the fierce battles over the proposed Lower Manhattan Expressway, Robert Moses's impact on New York City is both monumental and controversial. Known as the “Master Builder,” Moses's projects reshaped the city’s landscape, but at a cost that still sparks debate today. His grand vision for a car-centric metropolis often clashed with community needs, leading to heated conflicts with activists like Jane Jacobs. This biography dives deep into the life of a man who, without ever being elected, wielded more power than most politicians.
Inside the Biography:
- Discover how Moses’s vision for New York City prioritized highways and bridges over public transportation, affecting generations of New Yorkers.
- Uncover the dramatic confrontations between Moses and Jane Jacobs, who fought to preserve vibrant neighborhoods from the bulldozer.
- Explore the creation of iconic landmarks such as the Triborough Bridge and Lincoln Center, and the toll these projects took on local communities.
- Learn about Moses’s rise to power through alliances with influential politicians and how his fall began with the public's pushback against his aggressive urban renewal strategies.
- Delve into his personal life, his two marriages, and how his family shaped the man behind the master builder.
If you’re intrigued by the complex legacy of one of the most powerful figures in urban development, this book is a must-read. Dive into the story of Robert Moses to understand how his vision built—and fractured—New York City.
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Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024
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Robert Moses Biography
Emily Whiteman
Table of Contents
Copyright Notice
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Conclusion
Author’s Note
Copyright Notice
All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2024 by Emily Whiteman.
Introduction
From the tall bridges that link New York's boroughs to the highways that pass through neighborhoods, Robert Moses’ work is part of the city's structure. His plan for a car-focused city reshaped New York in the mid-1900s, making him a very powerful figure. But while he built grand structures and parks, many communities were destroyed, and families were forced to move for his projects. His legacy is as complicated as New York itself.
Robert Moses started as an idealist who wanted to make New York's government work better. In the 1920s, he teamed up with Governor Al Smith, which helped him rise in public service. As head of the Long Island State Park Commission, he created Jones Beach State Park, turning a deserted area into a popular spot for the public. This success marked him as a strong leader in New York politics, someone who could turn big ideas into reality.
As Moses gained more power, he became more determined to shape the city his way. He held many important titles and used them with little concern for public opinion. His construction of the Cross-Bronx Expressway is an example of this. The project went through established neighborhoods, forcing thousands of families to leave. While some admired his ability to achieve his goals, others saw him as ruthless, ignoring the human cost.
Moses' relationships with other prominent figures were as turbulent as his projects. His disputes with President Franklin D. Roosevelt over parkway development showed his unwillingness to compromise. His rivalry with activist Jane Jacobs, who opposed his plan to build the Lower Manhattan Expressway, highlighted the conflict between top-down planning and community needs. Moses became seen as an out-of-touch leader, while Jacobs’ success in stopping his plan represented a shift in urban planning.
Despite the controversies, Moses' impact on New York City is clear. Landmarks like the Triborough Bridge, Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, and Lincoln Center exist because of his vision and persistence. Yet, as time went on, the development model he promoted—one that prioritized cars over people—began to fall apart under public discontent and new urban ideas.
Robert Moses' story is one of ambition, controversy, and change. It shows the cost of progress and the balance between vision and power. By looking at his achievements and failures, we learn about the complex process of building and rebuilding a city. Understanding Robert Moses means understanding New York's past and thinking about the city's future.
Chapter 1
Foundations of Power
Robert Moses was born on December 18, 1888, in New Haven, Connecticut. His family was part of a prominent group of German-Jewish immigrants known as “Our Crowd,” though they were not the wealthiest. His father, Emanuel Moses, owned a successful department store and invested in real estate, while his mother, Bella Silverman Moses, was involved in the settlement movement, which aimed to help the poor through education and community support.
In 1897, when Robert was nine, the family moved to New York City, settling in a townhouse on East 46th Street. His parents’ values shaped his ideas about public service. Robert and his brother Paul attended prestigious schools like the Ethical Culture School and the Dwight School, which emphasized academic excellence and social responsibility. These experiences deeply influenced his early ideals.
Robert excelled in his studies, showing strong intelligence and independence. He entered Yale University in 1905, two years younger than most students. At Yale, he was known for being idealistic and focused on academics. He wrote poetry, contributed to literary journals, and was active in the Yale Political Union. Though not very social, he was respected for his academic achievements and graduated with a degree in Political Science in 1909.
After Yale, Robert studied at Wadham College, Oxford, where he developed a keen interest in politics and public administration. He admired the British civil service system for its emphasis on merit. He earned a degree in Jurisprudence in 1911 and a Master’s degree in 1913. His time at Oxford strengthened his belief in an efficient, merit-based government.
When he returned to the United States, Moses pursued a Ph.D. in Political Science at Columbia University, completing it in 1914. His doctoral thesis promoted a merit-based civil service, arguing that jobs should be awarded based on qualifications, not connections. This belief became a cornerstone of his career in public service.
In 1913, Moses began his career at the Municipal Research Bureau in New York City, a group that aimed to reform city government and eliminate corruption. He quickly made a name for himself as a talented researcher, but he was frustrated by the slow pace of change and opposition from entrenched political interests.
His big break came in 1914 when John Purroy Mitchel, the newly elected mayor of New York City, sought to reform the city’s bureaucracy. Moses was tasked with designing a new civil service system based on merit. He worked tirelessly to create a plan that categorized every city job and set high standards for hiring and promotion, aiming to end the cronyism that plagued New York politics.
However, his uncompromising attitude and lack of political tact made him many enemies, particularly among those who benefited from the existing system. His rigid approach alienated potential allies and made it difficult to push his reforms through.
Despite these challenges, Moses caught the attention of powerful figures in New York politics. After Mitchel’s defeat in 1917, Moses continued his work at the state level. In 1918, he was invited by Belle Moskowitz, a political advisor to Governor Alfred E. Smith, to join a commission to reorganize the state government. This opportunity marked a turning point in his career.
