What was a key cause and a key effect of urbanization in the North?

• A. Cause: decline of industry; Effect: population decrease
• B. Causes: economic and social opportunities; Effects: increased population compared to the South
• C. Causes: agricultural isolation; Effects: decreased immigration
• D. Causes: government incentives; Effects: no population change

Answer: (B)

Urbanization is about people moving from rural areas to cities to take advantage of jobs, services, and social opportunities that come with growing industry. In the North, factories, mills, and expanding transportation created many economic opportunities, drawing workers and families to urban areas. This influx, including many immigrants, caused northern cities to grow quickly, so the population in the North increased compared to the South, which remained more agricultural and less industrialized. The other options don’t fit because industry did not decline, agricultural isolation would not drive urban growth, immigration did not decrease, and there was indeed population change with cities expanding.