Great Migration

Definition

The Great Migration refers to the mass movement of approximately six million African Americans from the rural Southern United States to urban areas in the North and West between 1916 and 1970. This significant demographic shift was driven by factors such as the search for better economic opportunities, escape from racial segregation and violence, and the desire for a better quality of life.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Migration began during World War I when labor shortages in northern factories prompted employers to recruit African American workers from the South.
2. Cities like Chicago, Detroit, and New York saw significant increases in their African American populations due to this migration, leading to vibrant communities and cultural movements.
3. The Great Migration was not just about moving for jobs; it was also a response to systemic racism and violence in the Jim Crow South.
4. The migration had lasting impacts on the political landscape as newly settled African Americans began to engage more actively in civic life and political processes.
5. By the end of the Great Migration, it is estimated that nearly 25% of the African American population had relocated from the South to northern cities.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Migration affect the demographic landscape of American cities?
  • The Great Migration drastically changed the demographic landscape of American cities by significantly increasing the African American population in northern urban areas. Cities like Chicago and Detroit experienced substantial growth in their African American communities, leading to new cultural dynamics and social challenges. This influx helped shape city politics and contributed to vibrant cultural movements such as the Harlem Renaissance.
• In what ways did Jim Crow laws contribute to the motivations behind the Great Migration?
  • Jim Crow laws created oppressive conditions in the South, enforcing racial segregation and discrimination that severely limited opportunities for African Americans. These laws were a primary motivator behind the Great Migration, as many sought to escape violence and inequality. The harsh realities of life under Jim Crow pushed countless individuals and families to seek better prospects and freedom in northern cities.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the Great Migration on American society and culture, particularly regarding civil rights movements.
  • The long-term impacts of the Great Migration on American society were profound, as it set the stage for future civil rights movements. As African Americans settled in northern cities, they began to organize politically and advocate for their rights, contributing to significant social change. The migration fostered a sense of identity and community that galvanized activism, leading to events such as the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. The cultural contributions from this era also shaped music, art, and literature, leaving an enduring legacy on American culture.

Related terms

Jim Crow Laws: State and local laws enforcing racial segregation in the Southern United States, which created oppressive conditions that motivated many African Americans to migrate north.

Urbanization: The process by which an increasing percentage of a population lives in urban areas, a phenomenon accelerated by the Great Migration as African Americans sought work in cities.

Harlem Renaissance: A cultural, social, and artistic explosion centered in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s, which was fueled by the influx of African Americans during the Great Migration.