By 1920, more Americans lived in cities than in rural areas. What was one explanation of this change?
A. The growth of railroads caused towns to spring up along their routes.
B. Industries tended to developed and grow in key cities. Factories needed large numbers of workers. People moved into the cities to work in those factories
C. Most farmers moved from rural areas into cities, where they bought small plots of land. They grew food for their own families there.
D. The government wanted cities to grow, so it pad immigrants from Europe to move into cities.
The correct explanation for the change of more Americans living in cities than in rural areas by 1920 is B. Industries tended to develop and grow in key cities, and factories required a large number of workers, thus attracting people to move into cities for employment opportunities.
To arrive at this answer, we can eliminate options A, C, and D through the process of elimination:
Option A, the growth of railroads causing towns to spring up along their routes, does not fully explain the shift in population from rural to urban areas. While the expansion of railroads did contribute to urban growth to some extent, it does not encompass the overall trend of people moving to cities.
Option C states that most farmers moved from rural areas into cities to buy small plots of land and grow food for their own families. This option is incorrect as it implies that farmers transitioned from rural to urban areas. However, the question is specifically asking for the reason behind more Americans overall living in cities, which implies migration from rural to urban areas, rather than farmers relocating within the same city.
Option D suggests that the government encouraged immigrants from Europe to move into cities, resulting in urban expansion. This statement is also incorrect as it oversimplifies the complex process of immigration and urbanization. The government's role in urban growth was not a direct payment for immigrants to move to cities, but rather a combination of push and pull factors, such as economic opportunities and societal changes.
In contrast, option B accurately explains the shift from rural to urban areas in the early 20th century. The growth and development of industries in key cities created a high demand for workers, leading to a significant influx of people from rural areas to urban centers. The establishment of factories and the subsequent need for labor attracted individuals seeking better job prospects and higher wages, ultimately resulting in a greater population in urban areas compared to rural ones.