New Pace for Growth: As Portland’s economic stature in the Pacific Northwest settled behind Seattle’s, city leaders organized the Lewis and Clark Exposition of 1905, an international fair that brought thousands of visitors between June and October and reintroduced the City of Roses to the world.  

Portland's Ethnic Neighborhoods: As Portland’s cityscape developed in size and scope, numerous immigrant populations settled into the area.

Changes in Chinese and Japanese Immigration: With the continued enforcement of anti-Chinese immigration laws through the turn of the century, Japanese immigrants — primarily men — settled Portland to take up jobs left vacant by the excluded Chinese laborers.

African American Settlement: Between 1902 and 1920 race-based realty laws restricted the settlement of African Americans in Portland. While blacks continued to populate the city, demographics of Portland’s African American community shifted with a new focus on east side neighborhoods.

The Italian and Russian Jewish Settlements: The early 1900s brought Italian American and Russian Jewish settlers to Portland, many of whom found themselves cast in the roles of laborers, shopkeepers, and farmers. 

Progressive Politics and the Oregon System: The politics of the Gilded Age fostered corporate development in Portland. In reaction to the increasing disparity between wealth and poverty, Portland’s Populist Movement rallied voters to pass a revolutionary voting system that changed the way people participated in politics. 

A New City Charter: A new charter passed in 1912-13 incorporated East Portland with the more developed west side dramatically increasing Portland's size, population, and local political structure.

Abigail Scott Duniway and Women's Social Agenda: Women’s suffrage leader Abigail Scott Duniway took charge of local and national initiatives to help women win the right to vote.

City Planning and Civic Engagement: The 1910s and 1920s saw the rise of national initiatives calling for increased civic engagement among Americans. Portland residents, however, had to wait for their parks and green spaces as well as publicly-funded colleges.

A Nascent Labor Movement: Communists, socialists, and union organizers came to Portland in the 1920s to establish the Portland Labor College but not without resistance from the traditional-based craft unions.

The Politics of Assimilation: In the face of an increasing immigrant population, anti-immigration and Klan leaders gained power in Portland politics.   

Automobile City: As Portland further expanded its city limits, the Oregon City Motor Bus Company and the increasing popularity of the automobile altered the city's face and social landscape.