GEO350 Chapter 13 Notes

Chapter 13 - The Midwest: Corn, Cars, Conundrums, and Hope

Chapter Highlights

  • After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

    • Describe the formation of the midwestern landscape

    • Compare and contrast the Driftless and the Till Plain

    • Identify the subregions of the Midwest

    • Discuss how the Green Revolution and GMO crops have changed agriculture and food

    • Describe the evolution of the region’s two major economies, agriculture and manufacturing

    • Contrast the population dynamics in the Midwest to the rest of the country

    • Identify the major cities and discuss their economies

    • Discuss critical urban trends including migration

    • Identify the location, relationship, and importance of the Dairy, Corn, and Soybean belts

    • Explain the impact of deindustrialization

    • Discuss strategies to rebuild Midwestern economies

    • Explain the importance of the Great Lakes

Key Terms

  • Agglomeration: The clustering of businesses in the same area to reduce costs and share resources.

  • Brownfield: Abandoned industrial sites that may be contaminated and are redevelopable.

  • Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA): A system where consumers buy shares in a farm's harvest in advance, boosting farm income directly.

  • Deindustrialization: The decline of manufacturing industries in a region, usually resulting in job losses.

  • Ethanol: A type of biofuel produced from corn and other plant materials.

  • Family Farm: A farm operated by a family, typically smaller in scale compared to corporate farms.

  • Genetically Modified Organism (GMO): An organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering.

  • Green Revolution: A period marked by the introduction of high-yield crop varieties and synthetic fertilizers.

  • Kettle: A depression left by melting glaciers, often filled with water.

  • Lake Effect: Weather phenomena that occurs along the shores of lakes, resulting in heavier snowfall or altered precipitation patterns due to proximity to the lake.

  • Land Ordinance of 1785: Legislation that established a standardized system for surveying land in the United States.

  • Loess: A fine, fertile soil deposited by wind, especially in Midwestern regions.

  • Prairie: A large open area of grassland, particularly in the American Midwest.

  • Redlining: A discriminatory practice where banks refuse loans to residents in certain areas based on race or economic status.

  • Till: Glacial debris left behind as glaciers retreat.

  • Township and Range System: A rectangular survey system used to organize land in the United States.

Key Places

  • Black Swamp: A wetland area that was once glacial Lake Maumee, now drained for agriculture.

  • Cayahoga River: A river in Ohio known for environmental pollution issues leading to major legislative reforms.

  • Corn Belt: A region in the Midwest where corn is a dominant crop, characterized by fertile soil and suitable climate.

  • Cross Timbers: A region of mixed forest and prairie between Oklahoma and Texas.

  • Dairy Belt: A region where dairy farming is predominant, particularly in Wisconsin and Michigan.

  • The Driftless: An area in southwestern Wisconsin that escaped glacial scraping, resulting in distinctive topography.

  • Erie Canal: A waterway that connected the Hudson River with Lake Erie, facilitating trade and transport.

  • Great Lakes: A group of five large freshwater lakes in North America, significant for agriculture, transportation, and ecosystem health.

  • Lake Agassiz: A massive glacial lake that existed during the last ice age, which influenced the geography of the Midwest.

  • Ohio River: A major river that serves as a natural boundary and transportation route through several states.

  • Osage Plain: A transition region between grasslands and forests around the Kansas-Missouri border.

  • Prairie Peninsula: A section of vegetative land distinguished by its flat landscape and agricultural productivity.

  • Red River Valley: A valley formed from the runoff of glacial Lake Agassiz, characterized by fertile land and agricultural activities.

  • Till Plain: The area where glaciers deposited thick soil, rich for farming.

Introduction

  • The Midwest is often regarded as the heartland of America, particularly in terms of agriculture and manufacturing during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

  • Key features of the Midwestern economy include:

    • Agriculture, particularly corn and dairy production,

    • The automobile industry, which significantly transformed the regional economy.

  • The pastoral image of the Midwest is contrasted with many economic changes, including deindustrialization and agribusiness growth.

  • Despite challenges, regions such as Minnesota and Chicago have embraced sustainability and continue to adapt positively to new economic conditions.

  • Urban areas like Madison and Indianapolis have become desirable for their quality of life, showing signs of regeneration.

Physical Geography

  • The Midwestern landscape is characterized by flat yet diverse terrain, including lakes, rivers, forests, prairies, and agricultural lands.

  • Key physical features and subregions include:

    • Great Lakes: Major freshwater source with lakes formed by past glaciation.

    • Till Plain: Fertile land enriched by glacial deposits, ideal for agriculture.

    • Dissected Till Plain: Areas eroded by glaciers leading to diverse drainage systems and agricultural lands.

    • The Driftless: Unique landscapes not shaped by glacial activity, providing diverse ecological habitats.

    • Red River Valley: Fertile lands with significant agricultural productivity stemming from glacial history.

    • Transitional Osage Plain: Mixed agricultural regions between eastern grasses and western short grasses, heavily influenced by geology and climate.

Glacial Influence on the Landscape

  • The movement and retreat of glaciers have defined the landscape, affecting soil types, water bodies, and vegetation patterns.

  • Following glaciation, various terrains such as rolling moraines, kettle lakes, and flat plains emerged.

  • Loess deposits from wind-blown silt have created fertile soils vital for agriculture.

The Midwestern Economy

Agriculture

  • The Midwest is a central hub for agricultural production, contributing significantly to national supplies of corn and soybeans.

  • Traditional agricultural practices have shifted toward intensive farming, with a focus on monoculture and reliance on chemical fertilizers:

    • Green Revolution led to increases in crop yields, although new agricultural practices raised concerns about environmental sustainability.

    • Corporatization of agriculture has affected family farms, with a notable decrease in their numbers.

    • Community-supported agriculture (CSA) has gained popularity as a means to reconnect farmers with consumers.

Manufacturing

  • Manufacturing historically thrived during the early to mid-20th century, with cities like Detroit and Chicago at the forefront of industrial production.

  • The auto industry dominated the economic landscape, but deindustrialization has led to significant job losses and economic restructuring in these regions.

    • The transition from a manufacturing economy to services has affected job security and working conditions, resulting in fewer high-pay jobs available.

Environmental Issues

  • Urban pollution and environmental degradation have been a significant concern, particularly illustrated by events like the Cuyahoga River fire.

  • Concerns include:

    • Water quality issues due to agricultural runoff and urban waste.

    • Loss of wetlands and aquatic ecosystems due to development and industrial activities.

Urbanization and Population Dynamics

  • The Midwest has faced population decline in many regions, a trend exacerbated by young adults migrating to more economically vibrant areas.

  • Urban centers are increasingly characterized by shrinking populations, struggling economies, and the need for revitalization efforts.

Major Cities and Their Economies

Chicago, Illinois

  • Strong historical significance in manufacturing and trade, reshaped by urban sustainability initiatives.

Detroit, Michigan

  • Once a booming industrial center, now faced with severe population loss and economic decay but exploring innovative redevelopment strategies.

Cleveland, Ohio

  • Experienced significant demographic changes and is focusing on healthcare and technology as pillars for a future economy.

Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota

  • Emerging as a technology hub with green initiatives, attracting a younger demographic.

Conclusion

  • The Midwest faces challenges that stem from historical shifts in industrialization and agriculture, leading to economic decline in many areas.

  • However, as some cities adapt and rebuild through sustainability practices and technological innovation, a renewed focus on healthier living and economic opportunities is emerging.