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, primarily between 1916 and 1970, seeking better economic opportunities and escaping racial discrimination. This migration reshaped the demographic landscape of the United States and had significant social, cultural, and political impacts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Migration involved approximately 6 million African Americans moving from Southern states to Northern cities such as Chicago, Detroit, and New York.
2. The migration was driven by push factors such as poverty, violence, and lack of opportunities in the South, as well as pull factors like industrial jobs in Northern cities.
3. The Great Migration significantly influenced urban demographics, leading to the rise of vibrant African American communities in cities across the North and West.
4. Cultural developments during the Great Migration helped lay the groundwork for movements like the Harlem Renaissance, which celebrated African American culture and identity.
5. The Great Migration also played a crucial role in shaping political dynamics, as migrating populations began to advocate for civil rights and engage with political processes in their new communities.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Migration impact urban demographics in Northern cities?
  • The Great Migration led to a significant influx of African Americans into Northern cities, dramatically altering urban demographics. As approximately 6 million individuals moved from rural Southern areas to urban centers like Chicago and Detroit, these cities saw the emergence of large African American communities. This demographic shift contributed to increased cultural diversity and changed the social fabric of these urban areas, allowing for vibrant expressions of identity and culture.
• Analyze how the Great Migration influenced cultural movements such as the Harlem Renaissance.
  • The Great Migration played a vital role in fostering cultural movements like the Harlem Renaissance by bringing together a large number of African Americans in urban settings. This migration not only provided opportunities for artistic expression but also created a sense of community among artists, musicians, and writers who shared experiences of racial oppression. The concentration of talent and creativity in neighborhoods like Harlem led to an explosion of art, literature, and music that celebrated African American heritage and challenged societal norms.
• Evaluate the long-term political effects of the Great Migration on African American civil rights activism.
  • The Great Migration had profound long-term political effects on African American civil rights activism by transforming migrants into active participants in their new communities. As African Americans settled in Northern cities, they became increasingly aware of their rights and began to mobilize for change. This shift contributed to the emergence of influential civil rights organizations and laid the groundwork for major movements during the 1950s and 1960s. The collective experiences of migrants shaped their political consciousness and fueled efforts aimed at ending racial segregation and discrimination.

Related terms

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 mid-20th century.

Harlem Renaissance:

A cultural, social, and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s, fueled by the influx of African Americans from the South during the Great Migration.

Civil Rights Movement:

A struggle for social justice and equality in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, which sought to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans.