Discuss the “Sunbelt”–“Rustbelt” phenomenon that developed after World War II and accelerated sharply during the 1970s and 1980s. How did this transfer of capital resources, government spending, and migration of population impact the course of American culture and politics? What groups and interest benefited from this “power shift” from the Northeast and upper Midwest to the South, Southwest, and Far West? Why did the former industrial heartland of the U.S. experience decline? What factors contributed to Sunbelt growth and properity?
Among the secondary issues that might be considered are: 1) the impact upon the realignment of national party politics, and 2) the transformation of Southern California and Orange County as a core area of Sunbelt development. It would be useful to identify and include Orange County as most representative of the sun belt phenomenon. Factors: an economy driven by huge outlays for Cold War military development, rapid population growth, political conservatism.
Discuss the “Sunbelt”–“Rustbelt” phenomenon that developed after World War II a
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