Question

trends of the 1950s

• expansion of the middle class
• development of the interstate highway system
• growth of suburbs

the trends in this list all occurred as a result of - (17b)

• reductions in peacetime defense spending
• economic prosperity following world war ii
• the creation of the department of housing and urban development
• an increase in immigration after world war ii

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

1. Reductions in peacetime defense spending: Post - WWII, defense spending didn't reduce in a way that caused these trends. The Cold War led to continued defense spending.
2. Economic prosperity following World War II: After WWII, the US economy boomed. This prosperity allowed more people to join the middle class, funded the interstate highway system, and enabled people to move to suburbs (as they could afford homes there).
3. The creation of the Department of Housing and Urban Development: HUD was created in 1965, after the 1950s trends, so it can't be the cause.
4. An increase in immigration after World War II: While immigration increased, it was not the primary driver of middle - class expansion, highway development, and suburban growth. The main driver was economic prosperity.

Answer:

B. economic prosperity following World War II