Answer: By war's end, it was the world's largest railroad system. Other Northern industries--weapons manufacturing, leather goods, iron production, textiles--grew and improved as the war progressed.From 1945 to 1970, several factors influenced Georgia's growth. The shift from rural agrarianism to factory jobs after World War II resulted in larger urban populations. Atlanta developed into a recognizable metropolis due to the roles of two influential mayors – William B. Hartsfield and Ivan Allen Jr. Once viewed primarily as a cotton state, Georgia now consistently ranks first in the nation's production of poultry and eggs and is also a top producer of peanuts, pecans, tobacco, blueberries, and peaches. Overall, the state accounts for 2 percent of total U.S. agricultural sales.
