Changing Places, distant case study, Economic Boom and Decline - Detroit

Question 1

Detriot’s location/colonial history:

Answer 1

• Detroit is situated near the border between the US and Canada.
• Detroit is situated on the Detroit River, which links 2 of North America’s great lakes that connect to the Atlantic ocean.
• French colonialists founded Detroit in 1701.

Question 2

Detroit being a transport hub:

Answer 2

• In the 19th century, shipping and shipbuilding brought wealth to the city.

Question 3

Boom

Economic success of Detroit and it’s expansion: The Steel belt boom.

Answer 3

• It wasn’t until the 20th century until it’s expansion of both population and land area finally took off.
• Ford and General motors used assembly lines which were replicated worldwide.
• Southern Michigan was known as the Steel Belt, as this was where established waterways and canals, roads and railroads helped connect iron ore mines with coal resources. With the economic decline of the late 20th century this area became known as the Rust Belt.

Question 4

Boom

Economic success of Detroit and it’s expansion: New workers needed.

Answer 4

• During the 20th century millions of African Americans travelled to the urban north-east and midwest to apply for new jobs created by the automotive industry. (The Great Migration).
• Was driven by the racism African Americans experieneced in the Southern states at this time, so the workers felt pushed out by the lack of economic opportunitites other than labouring on plantations.

Question 5

Boom

Economic success of Detroit and it’s expansion: Growth of the city and the suburbs.

Answer 5

• Post war period the total populations of Detroit’s wider metropolitan area grew as life became increasingly dependent upon the car industry and urban areas sprawled in the original motor city.

Question 6

Decline

Changing world, changing fortunes: Competition and fuel insecurity

Answer 6

• From 1970s onwards competitors from Asia such as Honda and Toyota produced more desirable models for cars, which led to decline in sales and profits.
• Ford and General motors responded by cutting jobs and shutting down less efficient plants.
• Rising unemployment levels led to a fall in taxes so city authorities had less to invest into public services.

Question 7

Decline

Changing world, Changing fortunes: America’s Rust Belt region

Answer 7

• 2008, Toyota had become the leader in global sales in the auto industry.

Detroit had become the confirmed capital of the rust belt region.