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 during the early to mid-20th century, particularly from 1916 to 1970. This migration was driven by a combination of economic opportunities in industrial jobs and the desire to escape racial discrimination and violence in the South, leading to significant demographic shifts in American cities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Migration is often divided into two waves: the first wave from 1916 to 1940, and the second wave from 1941 to 1970, with millions of African Americans relocating during this period.
2. Major cities that saw significant increases in African American populations included Chicago, Detroit, New York City, and Philadelphia, dramatically changing their cultural landscapes.
3. The Great Migration contributed to the rise of vibrant African American communities and cultural movements in northern cities, impacting music, literature, and civil rights activism.
4. Economic factors such as the need for labor in factories during World War I and later World War II played a crucial role in attracting migrants to northern cities.
5. Racial violence and economic oppression in the South were significant push factors that compelled many African Americans to seek better lives in the North and West.

Review Questions

• How did Jim Crow laws contribute to the Great Migration, and what impact did this migration have on urban areas?
  • Jim Crow laws created an oppressive environment for African Americans in the South through legal segregation and discrimination. These laws pushed many individuals to migrate northward in search of better economic opportunities and social equality. The influx of migrants led to substantial demographic changes in urban areas, transforming cities culturally and economically as they adapted to their new residents.
• Discuss the cultural significance of the Harlem Renaissance as a result of the Great Migration.
  • The Harlem Renaissance emerged as a direct consequence of the Great Migration when a large number of African Americans settled in Harlem, leading to an explosion of artistic expression and cultural identity. This period saw notable figures in literature, music, and art who highlighted African American experiences and celebrated their heritage. The movement not only enriched American culture but also laid foundational ideas for future civil rights activism.
• Evaluate how the Great Migration altered both social dynamics and economic structures in American cities during the 20th century.
  • The Great Migration significantly transformed social dynamics in American cities by increasing racial diversity and shifting population centers. Economically, it filled labor shortages in northern industries while also creating new markets for goods and services tailored to African American consumers. The changes prompted urban policy shifts as cities grappled with new challenges related to housing, employment, and civil rights advocacy among a growing African American population.

Related terms

Jim Crow Laws:

State and local laws enforcing racial segregation in the Southern United States, which were a primary push factor for African Americans to leave the South during the Great Migration.

Harlem Renaissance: A cultural, social, and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s, largely fueled by the influx of African Americans who migrated from the South.

Urbanization:

The process by which rural areas become urbanized as people move into cities, which was greatly accelerated by the Great Migration as many African Americans sought jobs in industrial centers.