why are houses built in the USA have basements ?

My Victorian terrace in London has a basement. They were all built with basements. It was the kitchen and staff quarters of the house.

On the other hand, the house where I grew up in the English countryside was built around 1400. They did not go in for basements much in those days. Some had dungeons but basements? Not so much.

Not all houses in the US have basements. Many houses outside of the US also have basements.

you generalize too much, not all houses in the US have basements

most older communities do but later built houses, tract homes, rarely had basements in fact were probably built on slabs to reduce costs

Basements, in addition to structural requirements, add more area to a home without increasing the foot print.

I think this does have a lot to do with getting the foundations in below the frost line - having lived out in Canada for a number of years. It was the same with putting up fencing!! Personally I'd love to have another house with a basement here in the UK - so much cooler when we DO have some hot weather and snug in Winter.

Structurally, for houses, the basement walls typically form the foundation. In warmer climates, some houses do not have basements because they are not necessary (although many still prefer them). In colder climates, the foundation must be below the frost line.

In case of a war..

Houses all over Europe have basements as well.

You really think it strange ?