The 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 migration significantly changed the demographic landscape of America and contributed to the cultural, social, and economic evolution of cities, while also highlighting issues related to historical erasure and silencing experienced by African American communities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Migration occurred in two main waves: the first from 1916 to 1940 and the second from 1941 to 1970, driven by factors like World War I and World War II labor demands.
2. Many migrants sought escape from oppressive conditions in the South, including violence, discrimination, and limited economic opportunities, leading to significant population shifts in Northern cities like Chicago, Detroit, and New York.
3. The cultural impact of the Great Migration is profound, giving rise to new artistic expressions and movements such as jazz and blues that shaped American music.
4. The migration altered political power dynamics, as newly settled African Americans began to participate more actively in politics, influencing local elections and civil rights movements.
5. Despite its significant impact, much of the history surrounding the Great Migration has been overlooked or marginalized in mainstream narratives, contributing to a sense of historical erasure.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Migration contribute to changes in cultural expressions among African Americans?
  • The Great Migration led to a flourishing of cultural expressions as African Americans moved to urban centers where they could share their experiences. This resulted in movements like the Harlem Renaissance, which celebrated African American art, literature, and music. The infusion of Southern cultural traditions into Northern urban environments allowed for new genres like jazz and blues to develop, reflecting both joy and struggle in their narratives.
• In what ways did Jim Crow laws influence the decisions of African Americans to migrate during the Great Migration?
  • Jim Crow laws enforced severe racial segregation and systemic oppression in the South, creating an environment where many African Americans faced violence and discrimination daily. These oppressive conditions motivated countless individuals and families to seek better lives in Northern cities where they hoped to find more opportunities for employment and social equality. The need to escape such injustices was a primary driver of migration during this period.
• Evaluate how the Great Migration reshaped political dynamics in American cities and discuss its implications for future civil rights movements.
  • The Great Migration significantly reshaped political dynamics as African Americans settled in Northern cities and began to organize politically. This demographic shift led to increased representation in local governance and empowered communities to advocate for civil rights. The participation of newly migrated individuals laid crucial groundwork for future civil rights movements by fostering a sense of solidarity and political activism that would be pivotal in challenging systemic racism across the United States.

Related terms

Harlem Renaissance: A cultural movement in the 1920s centered in Harlem, New York, that celebrated African American culture through literature, music, and art, largely fueled by the migration of African Americans from the South.

Jim Crow Laws: State and local laws that enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States from the late 19th century until the civil rights movement in the 1960s, prompting many African Americans to migrate in search of better opportunities.

Urbanization: The process by which rural populations move to urban areas, leading to city growth and changes in social dynamics, significantly influenced by the Great Migration.