Final answer:
Urbanization during the 1870s and beyond signaled social change in American cities by promoting industrialization and immigration, which led to diverse social classes with different lifestyles and opportunities for leisure and education.
Step-by-step explanation:
Urbanization in the 1870s and beyond significantly reflected social change in people's lives in American cities by fostering industrialization and immigration. The massive influx of both rural Americans and immigrants from abroad into urban areas led to a dynamic mix of cultures and swelling urban populations. This growth necessitated advancements in infrastructure and services such as transportation and sanitation.
On a social level, urban life also instigated shifts in leisure activities and education. The rise of amusement parks and baseball provided affordable entertainment for the working class, while the middle class sought better education for their children through public high schools and land-grant colleges, securing their place in the professional sectors. Conversely, the wealthier citizens enjoyed exclusive social clubs and the arts, often highlighted in the Social Register.
Thus, the diversification of leisure activities and improved access to education are clear indicators of the profound social changes brought forth by urbanization. Technological advancements further accelerated these developments, enabling cities to sustain their burgeoning populations and industry.