Final answer:
Rapid suburbanization in the 1950s was driven by the search for the American dream in the suburbs, supported by economic growth, favorable government policies, white-collar job increase, and advancements in transportation. This led to a change in city demographics known as white flight and de facto segregation, as these suburbs were often inaccessible to minorities due to economic and racial barriers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rapid suburbanization in the 1950s was primarily the result of several interconnected factors including government policies, economic prosperity, the availability of affordable cars, and significant advancements in transportation infrastructure.
After World War II, the American dream was symbolized by owning a home in the suburbs, which offered affordable single-family homes, good schools, safe environments, and the opportunity for white, middle-class families to live among others with similar interests and aspirations.
Government policies and financial incentives were established to make these suburban homes more affordable, although they often led to unintentional consequences like urban decline and de facto segregation.
Dramatic changes in the economy, with a shift towards white-collar jobs and a service-based economy, allowed more families to afford suburban living. Additionally, the growth of the suburbs was accelerated by the rise in automobile ownership and the development of the interstate highway system, which facilitated easier commutes from suburban homes to urban workplaces.
Sadly, this suburban boom often excluded African Americans, Native Americans, and Latinos due to economic barriers and widespread racial discrimination, a process known as de facto segregation.
The phenomenon of white flight also contributed to suburban growth, as affluent white individuals left the urban areas for the suburbs, carrying with them economic resources and contributing to a decline in urban tax revenues while increasing those of suburban areas. This migration pattern significantly altered the social and economic landscapes of American cities and intensified the segregation by race and class between urban and suburban areas.