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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.
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.
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 strongly business-friendly climate encouraged businesses to relocate there.<ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/>
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"/>
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>
Other stated factors in the growth of the Sun Belt include [[desegregation]]<ref name="DigitalHistory"/> and transportation and communications improvements.<ref name="Britannica">[https://www.britannica.com/place/Sun-Belt Sun Belt]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved December 25, 2016.</ref>
==Growth==
The period of growth and transformation in the Sun Belt began in the 1960s.<ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/> The fact that the Northeast and Midwest were not the economic and political centers of the nation was clear by the 1970s.<ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/>
===Economic growth===
Numerous businesses, both from other parts of the nation and around the world, relocated to the Sun Belt due to better business conditions and conservative, pro-business policies.<ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/> Due to an increased emphasis [[energy Independence]] beginning in the 1970s, several Sun Belt states, such as [[Texas]] with its massive [[oil reserves]], experienced large growth and development.<ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/>
In addition, the Sun Belt saw large population growth far above the national average, with 36 percent growth in the South and 51 percent growth in West between 1970 and 1990.<ref name="Britannica"/>
The above-average growth of the conservative Sun Belt and the decline of left-wing states has continued into the early 21st Century.<ref>Frey, William H. (January 4, 2016). [https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2016/01/04/sun-belt-migration-reviving-new-census-data-show/ Sun Belt migration reviving, new census data show]. ''The Brookings Institution''. Retrieved December 25, 2016.</ref><ref>Kotkin, Joel (March 28, 2016). [http://www.forbes.com/sites/joelkotkin/2016/03/28/the-sun-belt-is-rising-again-new-census-data-shows/#780e8d224750 The Sun Belt Is Rising Again, New Census Numbers Show]. ''Forbes''. Retrieved December 25, 2016.</ref>
Meanwhile, the Northeast and Midwest, with its left-wing governance and many regulations, lost businesses and people and went into a period of decline.<ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/>
===Political growth===
===Cultural growth===
==References==
==References==