(Economic transformation) The growth of suburbs Flashcards
What did the growth in car industry mean?
More people owned cars, giving them more freedom of choosing where to live.
Many moved from industrial areas into suburbs.
How did the number of Americans owning their own home change?
1945 = 50%
1960 = 60%
How did the number of Americans living in suburbs change?
1920 = 17%
1960 = 33%
How many Americans moved out of cities?
What is this known as?
What did this do?
18 million
‘White-flight’
Grew the middle-class
How did the number of suburban houses change?
Almost doubled
What is significant about William Levitt for the growth of suburbs?
In 1947, Levitt bought 1,200 acres of farmland in Long Island, NY & built 10,600 houses.
They were quickly purchased & occupied by more than 40,000 people.
What was William Levitt aware of when purchasing 1,200 acres of farmland and building 10,600 houses?
The GI Bill
How were houses mass produced?
Using prefabricated door frames, walls & window frames that could be easily put together.
Limitations - why are suburbs criticised regarding appearance?
Lack of variety and their conformity.
Limitations - how did the growth of suburbs affect inner city areas?
Conditions began to deteriorate
Limitations - what was built near suburbs?
What did this do?
New shopping malls with restaurants and cinemas.
Urban centres & small shopkeepers lost business as people moved away or began to travel for shopping.
Limitations - what didn’t suburbs accept?
Black americans
Limitations - what did black americans face problems obtaining?
What is significant about this?
Mortgages
Wasn’t until 1960s that racial discrimination and segregation in housing was declared illegal.
