Ep 2. White Collar vs. Blue Collar

In season 2 episode 2 of How The States Got Their Shapes, titled "White Collar vs. Blue Collar," viewers are taken on a journey through America's manufacturing history and how it has influenced the borders of states. The episode explores the contrast between the blue-collar workers, who were involved in agricultural and industrial jobs, and the white-collar workers, who were involved in service and knowledge-based jobs.

The episode begins by delving into the history of Michigan as a state heavily involved in the automotive industry. Viewers learn about how the automobile industry spearheaded economic growth in the state and how the workforce shifted from agriculture to manufacturing. The show explores the borders of Michigan and how they reveal the state's manufacturing history. The automobile industry was concentrated in Detroit, leading to a more diverse population and a larger city than the rest of the state. However, as the state's economy shifted from a manufacturing-focused to a service-based industry, Detroit began to decline, and with it, the population of Michigan's largest city.

The next state explored is Ohio, which was also heavily involved in the manufacturing industry. The show examines how its borders were influenced by the transportation of goods and materials. The state is dissected by the I-75 highway, a major route that runs from Michigan to Florida. The highway split the state's manufacturing regions and the agricultural regions. This led to significant differences in economic development, with the northern part of the state being more industrialized, and the southern part being more agriculturally focused.

Throughout the episode, viewers are introduced to a variety of experts to learn about how the blue-collar and white-collar workers have influenced the states' overall shape. They explain how economic patterns have caused significant differences in state development. For instance, viewers learn about the "sunbelt" region in the western and southern states, which was predominantly driven by white-collar workers, who were drawn to the warmer climate. The show also takes viewers to Illinois, where they discover the state's link to the railroad industry and how it has impacted the state's borders.

The experts involved in the series investigate how states were formed, both during colonization and through territorial expansion. They explain how certain borders were formed according to natural geographic features like rivers and mountains, whilst others were shaped by political motives and the whims of key individuals.

All in all, viewers discover how shifting economic trends have influenced and shaped the borders of the United States. The second episode of How The States Got Their Shapes season 2 provides an in-depth look into the history of several states and the impact of the manufacturing industry on their borders. It reveals fascinating details about how economic patterns have determined the state's shape and development, highlighting how states have adjusted and evolved to stay relevant in an ever-changing world.