After World War II, there were two major population shifts — from cities to suburbs, and from the north to the Sunbelt.
Returning veterans, with the aid of the GI Bill to assist with home loans at low interest rates, were ready to buy homes and start families. The suburbs were the perfect location for these new families to settle down, as men could commute to work in the nearby cities while children could safely play in the suburban neighborhood. From 1950 to 1956, the number of Americans living in suburban communities increased by 46%.
Besides this shift from cities to suburbs, Americans were also migrating from the north to the warmer-weathered south, also known as the Sunbelt. Attracted by low labor costs, manufacturers and other businesses began locating to the Sunbelt. Attracted by the sunny beaches and places like Disneyland, families also began locating to the Sunbelt. Not all Sunbelt states grew at the same rate — the Big Three (California, Texas, Florida) increased by over 13 million people from 1950 to 2000, the Booming Four (Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Georgia) increased heavily, the Steady Four (Louisiana, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina) increased at a similar rate as the rest of America, and the Lagging Four (Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama) increased at half the rate as America overall. From 1950 to 1960, California's population, one of the Big Three, grew from 10.6 million to over 15.7 million people (50% increase). This large population shift to the Sunbelt was facilitated by two main factors — the creation of massive water projects in the arid Southwest and the creation of air conditioners for the homes. These inventions allowed for water conservation and temperature regulation, which increased the standard of living.
Both sides of my family moved from the Northeast to southern California during this time period, attracted by the booming businesses and sunny weather. Looking at migration patterns today, we see a large influx of intellectuals locating into northern California to find work in the Silicon Valley. By analyzing migration patterns throughout history, we can learn interesting trends that give insight into the values present during the time period. What other migration trends do we see today?
I think it's interesting that you included practical causes for the influx of population in these sunny states, particularly the air conditioner. We often do not think about seemingly simple inventions such as temperature regulation to have serious effects on our history, yet this example is a reminder that smaller inventions do play a large role.
ReplyDeleteI think this shift in American culture also led to the increase in mass farming. With many people moving south to the Sunbelt, there was much better weather to grow crops. Since many people were moving south to find jobs, farming could also be a good job for many. This increase in farming obviously led to the increase of food production and in the end a healthier country. With the rise of suburbs and increased farming, the US became much more family friendly.
ReplyDeleteI think your blog is really interesting with the personal anecdote added. I think it is interesting to see the trend of migration shifting in the 1950s and 60s with the need for jobs on veterans returning from WWII. Answering your question, I think there is still a similar trend in migration even till this day for people are seeking jobs just like back then in cities that promise more opportunities. Silicon Valley, for example, is a place filled with many chances in getting into a job with the tech companies surrounding the area. The booming business is still a major catch in many people's eyes to migrate even from places outside of this country.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting that with trends such as immigration, there is not a clear cause effect relationship like we prefer to assume, but that there were many factors that contributed to such a movement like new government policy and technologic innovations. The shift to suburban communities by the new generation at the time is also interesting because if anything I've personally seen more young adults living in more urban areas these days, renting and sharing housing rather than what you described with the returning veterans wanting to buy houses and start families. With each generation we've seen these trends shift and change, or in this case flip flop all together.
ReplyDelete