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The '''Sun Belt''' is a region in [[The South|the Southern]], Western, and Mountain states of the [[United States]] that experienced large economic and political growth and transformation starting around the 1960s. While the left-wing Northeast and [[Rust Belt|West]], which was plagued with poor business conditions, went into a long period of decline, the conservative, [[small government]] Sun Belt prospered. The prosperity continues to this day.
==Prior to economic transformation==
At the end of [[World War II]], the area that would become the Sun Belt, particularly the South, was the poorest area of the nation.<ref name="DigitalHistory">[http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtid=2&psid=3428 The Rise of the Sunbelt]. ''Digital History''. Retrieved December 25, 2016.</ref> The South and Southwest had a much smaller population, were relatively remote, and had an unideal meteorological climate for economic growth, as they were very hot locations.<ref name="Encyclopedia.com">[http://www.encyclopedia.com/places/united-states-and-canada/miscellaneous-us-geography/sun-belt Sun Belt]. ''Encyclopedia.com'' (from the ''Dictionary of American History''). Retrieved December 25, 2016.</ref> On the other hand, the Northeastern and [[Midwest|Midwestern United States]] were politically, economically, and demographically the most important areas of the nation.<ref name="DigitalHistory"/><ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/>
==Reasons for growth==
An important reason for the growth of the Sun Belt was the development of [[air conditioning]].<ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/> With this innovation, one could live comfortably in the Sun Belt states all year long, as the climate was nice in the winter and air conditioning could be used in the summer.
Another reason for growth was the weak [[labor unions]] and [[small government]] in the region.<ref name="DigitalHistory"/> While the Northeast and Midwest were bogged down with [[big government]], high wages and taxes and had strong labor unions which further increased costs and lowered efficiency, the Sun Belt had none of those things. Its very business-friendly climate encouraged businesses to relocate there.
Some people have noted that there was much government spending directed toward the region, mainly for military-related installations and purposes but also for other projects.<ref name="DigitalHistory"/> Some have noted that much of this investment and spending occurred during [[World War II]], even though real economic growth did not actually begin until a few decades later. Regardless, by 1980 almost half of U.S. soldiers were stationed in the area and 40 percent of the [[United States Department of Defense|U.S. Department of Defense]] was directed to the area.<ref name="DigitalHistory"/>
Other stated factors in the growth of the Sun Belt include [[desegregation]]<ref name="DigitalHistory"/> and transportation and communications improvements.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/place/Sun-Belt Sun Belt]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved December 25, 2016.</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:United States History]]
[[Category:Regions of the Western United States]]
[[Category:Regions of the United States]]
[[Category:Conservatism]]
==Prior to economic transformation==
At the end of [[World War II]], the area that would become the Sun Belt, particularly the South, was the poorest area of the nation.<ref name="DigitalHistory">[http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtid=2&psid=3428 The Rise of the Sunbelt]. ''Digital History''. Retrieved December 25, 2016.</ref> The South and Southwest had a much smaller population, were relatively remote, and had an unideal meteorological climate for economic growth, as they were very hot locations.<ref name="Encyclopedia.com">[http://www.encyclopedia.com/places/united-states-and-canada/miscellaneous-us-geography/sun-belt Sun Belt]. ''Encyclopedia.com'' (from the ''Dictionary of American History''). Retrieved December 25, 2016.</ref> On the other hand, the Northeastern and [[Midwest|Midwestern United States]] were politically, economically, and demographically the most important areas of the nation.<ref name="DigitalHistory"/><ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/>
==Reasons for growth==
An important reason for the growth of the Sun Belt was the development of [[air conditioning]].<ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/> With this innovation, one could live comfortably in the Sun Belt states all year long, as the climate was nice in the winter and air conditioning could be used in the summer.
Another reason for growth was the weak [[labor unions]] and [[small government]] in the region.<ref name="DigitalHistory"/> While the Northeast and Midwest were bogged down with [[big government]], high wages and taxes and had strong labor unions which further increased costs and lowered efficiency, the Sun Belt had none of those things. Its very business-friendly climate encouraged businesses to relocate there.
Some people have noted that there was much government spending directed toward the region, mainly for military-related installations and purposes but also for other projects.<ref name="DigitalHistory"/> Some have noted that much of this investment and spending occurred during [[World War II]], even though real economic growth did not actually begin until a few decades later. Regardless, by 1980 almost half of U.S. soldiers were stationed in the area and 40 percent of the [[United States Department of Defense|U.S. Department of Defense]] was directed to the area.<ref name="DigitalHistory"/>
Other stated factors in the growth of the Sun Belt include [[desegregation]]<ref name="DigitalHistory"/> and transportation and communications improvements.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/place/Sun-Belt Sun Belt]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved December 25, 2016.</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:United States History]]
[[Category:Regions of the Western United States]]
[[Category:Regions of the United States]]
[[Category:Conservatism]]