Great Migration

Definition

The Great Migration refers to the mass movement of African Americans from the rural South to urban centers in the North and West between approximately 1916 and 1970. This migration was driven by various factors, including the search for better economic opportunities, escaping racial discrimination, and seeking a more favorable social environment. It significantly impacted the cultural landscape of America, particularly in the development and evolution of music genres like blues and jazz.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Migration saw over six million African Americans leave the rural South for cities like Chicago, Detroit, and New York City in search of jobs and a better quality of life.
2. During this period, many African Americans took on industrial jobs in factories due to labor shortages caused by World War I and World War II.
3. The migration led to significant changes in urban demographics and contributed to the rise of vibrant African American communities in northern cities.
4. Blues music evolved as a response to the experiences of those migrating from the South, reflecting their struggles and aspirations in a new urban environment.
5. The Great Migration also influenced the development of other musical styles, including jazz and rhythm and blues, shaping American music as a whole.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Migration influence the development of blues music?
  • The Great Migration was pivotal in shaping blues music as it brought a large population of African Americans from the South to northern urban areas where they could share their musical traditions. As they settled into new environments, blues artists incorporated their experiences of hardship and hope into their music, creating new styles and sounds that resonated with both African American and wider audiences. The interaction between migrants and local musicians further enriched the blues genre, leading to its evolution and integration into popular culture.
• Discuss the socio-economic factors that contributed to the Great Migration and how they impacted African American communities in northern cities.
  • Key socio-economic factors behind the Great Migration included the lure of industrial jobs during World War I and II due to labor shortages, as well as the oppressive conditions created by racial segregation in the South. This migration transformed African American communities in northern cities by fostering new cultural expressions, including music like blues and jazz. Additionally, migrants faced their own set of challenges in urban settings such as housing discrimination and limited job opportunities, which further shaped their community dynamics.
• Evaluate the long-term cultural impacts of the Great Migration on American music and society as a whole.
  • The long-term cultural impacts of the Great Migration on American music are profound; it not only helped solidify blues as a major genre but also paved the way for jazz and rhythm and blues. These genres became key elements of American cultural identity and influenced countless musicians across various styles. Socially, the migration helped raise awareness about racial issues through music, art, and literature during movements like the Harlem Renaissance. Ultimately, it contributed to a broader recognition of African American contributions to American culture, shaping societal attitudes towards race relations.

Related terms

Jazz: A genre of music that originated in the African American communities of New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by its use of improvisation and a strong rhythmic foundation.

Racial Segregation: The enforced separation of different racial groups in a country, which was prevalent in the United States, particularly in the South, during the time of the Great Migration.

Harlem Renaissance: A cultural, social, and artistic explosion centered in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s that celebrated African American culture and fostered new forms of expression in literature, art, and music.