Great migration

Definition

The great migration refers to the mass movement of over six million African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West between 1916 and 1970. This movement had significant cultural, social, and economic impacts, particularly in shaping the development of jazz dance and tap dance as these art forms evolved in new environments where African American culture thrived.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The great migration significantly altered the demographics of cities like Chicago, New York, and Detroit, leading to an increase in African American populations in these urban centers.
2. Jazz music emerged as a dominant cultural force during the great migration, heavily influencing dance styles and giving rise to jazz dance as a prominent form of expression.
3. Many African American dancers developed their craft in nightclubs and theaters that featured jazz music, which fostered innovation in dance forms like tap.
4. The shift from rural to urban life allowed for greater opportunities in performance and education for African American artists, leading to a renaissance in artistic expression.
5. The great migration not only transformed the cultural landscape but also played a vital role in the civil rights movement by increasing political engagement among African Americans in their new communities.

Review Questions

• How did the great migration influence the evolution of jazz dance within urban settings?
  • The great migration brought a large number of African Americans to urban areas where they were exposed to new cultural influences and opportunities. In cities like New York and Chicago, jazz music became immensely popular, and this led to the development of jazz dance as an expressive art form. The vibrant nightlife provided platforms for dancers to showcase their skills, blending traditional African dance elements with new styles influenced by their surroundings.
• Analyze how tap dance evolved during the great migration and its connections to other forms of entertainment.
  • During the great migration, tap dance began to gain prominence as it was performed in vaudeville acts and theaters across urban America. The interaction with other dance forms and musical genres, such as jazz and minstrel shows, allowed tap to evolve and incorporate new rhythms and techniques. Tap dancers adapted their style to fit the fast-paced environment of urban nightlife, making it a significant part of American entertainment culture.
• Evaluate the broader societal impacts of the great migration on African American communities and their artistic expressions.
  • The great migration reshaped African American communities by fostering a sense of identity and solidarity among migrants in urban centers. As these communities flourished culturally, they became hotspots for artistic expression, leading to movements like the Harlem Renaissance. This period not only highlighted talents in jazz dance and tap but also spurred social change by empowering African Americans politically and economically as they sought greater rights and recognition within society.

Related terms

Harlem Renaissance:

A cultural, social, and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s, showcasing African American talents and contributions to arts, literature, and music.

Jazz Age: A period in the 1920s characterized by the popularity of jazz music and dance, closely tied to the experiences of African Americans during the great migration.

Minstrel Shows: Entertainment that originated in the early 19th century, often featuring white performers in blackface, which later influenced the development of tap dance as a performance art.