Great Migration
Definition
The Great Migration refers to the mass movement of African Americans from the Southern United States to the North between 1910 and 1970, seeking better economic opportunities, escape from racial discrimination, and access to education.
Analogy
Imagine you live in a small town with limited job opportunities. Then one day, you learn about a big city where there are plenty of jobs, better schools, and more acceptance. You decide to move there for a chance at a brighter future. This is similar to what motivated African Americans during the Great Migration.
Related terms
Jim Crow Laws: These were state and local laws that enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States after Reconstruction.
Industrialization: The process of developing industries within an economy, often leading to urbanization and increased job opportunities.
Northern cities: Refers to major cities in the Northern United States such as New York City, Chicago, Detroit, etc., which attracted many African Americans during the Great Migration due to job prospects and relatively less racial discrimination compared to the South.
"Great Migration" appears in:
Subjects (1)
Practice Questions (13)
Which of the following was a reason for the Great Migration?
What event initiated the "Great Migration" in the United States during the early 20th century?
Where did the Great Migration occur during the early-to-mid-20th century?
What is the most accurate comparison between the Great Migration in early 20th century America and the Syrian Refugee Crisis of the 21st century?
What caused the Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to urban North in the early 20th century?
Where did the Great Migration, a significant voluntary migration event in U.S. history, originate from?
What American city experienced significant black-white segregation during the Great Migration in the early-twentieth century?
How did the Great Migration of African Americans to the Northern United States in the early 20th century and International migration from Mexico to the U.S. reflect similar effects of migration?
Where is the "Great Migration" primarily understood to have taken place in the early 20th century?
What motivated the Great Migration of African Americans from the Southern United States to the North in the early 20th century?
What common factor influenced both the Great Migration of African Americans in the early 20th century and the Syrian Refugee Crisis in the 21st century?
How did the Great Migration affect demographic patterns within the United States?
How do the Great Migration (1916-1970) and Syrian Refugee Crisis connect in the context of push-pull factors?
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