Post-War Boom and Suburbanisation · US History

Which of the following was a major factor in the decline of the 'Rust Belt' and the rise of the 'Sunbelt'?

  1. The invention of the cotton gin
  2. The widespread availability of air conditioning
  3. The discovery of gold in the Appalachian mountains
  4. The federal government's decision to ban manufacturing in the North
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: The widespread availability of air conditioning

Air conditioning made the hot climates of the South and West habitable for year-round work and living. This, combined with lower taxes and the presence of defense contracts, drew businesses and people away from the colder, unionized North.

Difficulty: Medium Question 17 of 20

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