Final answer:
Detroit's explosive growth through the 1930s was primarily due to its booming automobile industry spearheaded by industrialists like Henry Ford. Geographic advantages and broader national trends toward urbanization also contributed. However, this growth led to urban issues related to inequality and infrastructure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The city of Detroit was one of the fastest growing cities in the United States up through the 1930s due to several converging factors. A significant catalyst for Detroit's growth was its burgeoning automobile industry. Entrepreneurs such as Ransom Olds and Henry Ford pioneered manufacturing innovations, including the assembly line technique, which enabled the production of reliable, affordable cars for the mass market. This led to a surge in economic activity and a demand for labor, which in turn attracted a population boom composed of both domestic migrants and international immigrants.
Another contributing factor was the geographic advantages Detroit held, such as its industrial labor force and proximity to raw materials like hardwood forests. The city's position on the border with Canada also played an essential role during Prohibition, as it became a hub for alcohol smuggling. Finally, broader national factors like technological advancements in factory production, mass production of commodities, and a nationwide shift toward urban living contributed to the rapid growth of American cities, including Detroit.
However, rapid urbanization also led to problems such as housing and living condition concerns, transportation difficulties, and communication issues. These arose from deep class inequalities, racial divisions, religious differences, ethnic strife, and corrupt local politics, which affected cities across the country, not just Detroit.