Final answer:
Unemployment in Appalachia soared due to the decline of the manufacturing sector, economic leakage of coal mining profits, and competition from alternative energy sources.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reasons why unemployment soared in Appalachia can be attributed to a combination of factors. One reason is the decline of the manufacturing sector, particularly in industries such as automobile, steel, mining, and electronics, which led to the closure of many factories and the loss of manufacturing jobs. Another reason is the economic leakage of coal mining profits, with the majority of the wealth going to coal company executives and shareholders outside of Appalachia. Additionally, competition from cheaper energy sources and environmental regulations discouraging the use of high-sulfur coal have also contributed to the decline of the coal economy in the region.