Great Migration

Definition

The Great Migration refers to the mass movement of African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West, particularly between 1916 and 1970. This migration was fueled by factors such as economic opportunities in industrial cities and the desire to escape racial discrimination and violence, shaping urban demographics and cultural landscapes in significant ways.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Migration is divided into two main waves: the first wave occurred from 1916 to 1940, and the second wave took place from 1941 to 1970.
2. Cities like Chicago, Detroit, New York, and Philadelphia saw significant increases in their African American populations due to this migration.
3. The Great Migration led to important changes in the cultural landscape of cities, influencing music, art, and literature, particularly through movements like the Harlem Renaissance.
4. Economic factors such as the demand for labor during World War I and the decline of cotton production due to boll weevil infestations motivated many African Americans to move north.
5. The Great Migration also contributed to the development of vibrant African American communities in urban areas, fostering a sense of identity and solidarity among migrants.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Migration impact the cultural landscape of urban areas in America during the early to mid-20th century?
  • The Great Migration significantly transformed the cultural landscape of urban areas as African Americans brought their traditions, music, and art forms to cities. This influx led to vibrant cultural movements such as the Harlem Renaissance, where African American artists, writers, and musicians flourished. The blending of Southern cultural influences with urban life created new forms of expression that shaped American culture and challenged prevailing racial stereotypes.
• Evaluate the social and economic factors that drove African Americans to migrate from the South during the Great Migration.
  • Several social and economic factors drove African Americans to migrate during the Great Migration. Economically, World War I created a labor shortage in Northern factories, offering better job opportunities than those available in the racially oppressive South. Socially, many sought to escape Jim Crow laws and rampant racial violence, hoping for a better life in cities that promised greater freedoms. This combination of push and pull factors led to a transformative demographic shift.
• Analyze how the Great Migration reshaped not only African American communities but also broader American society in terms of race relations and urban development.
  • The Great Migration reshaped both African American communities and broader American society by fostering new cultural identities and changing race relations. As African Americans settled in urban areas, they began to assert their rights more vocally, leading to increased political activism and involvement in civil rights movements. Additionally, this migration spurred urban development as cities expanded to accommodate growing populations. The interactions between diverse racial groups often resulted in tensions but also laid the groundwork for future civil rights advancements.

Related terms

Harlem Renaissance:

A cultural, social, and artistic explosion centered in Harlem during the 1920s, which celebrated African American culture and identity.

Urbanization:

The process by which rural areas transform into urban centers, often accompanied by population growth and changes in social structures.

Jim Crow Laws: State and local laws enacted in the Southern United States that enforced racial segregation and disenfranchised African Americans from the late 19th century until the Civil Rights Movement.