4.1 Causes and patterns of the Great Migration

The Great Migration saw millions of African Americans leave the South for Northern and Western cities from 1910 to 1970. Economic opportunities, escape from racial violence, and hopes for political freedom drove this massive population shift.

Migrants faced challenges like discrimination and poor living conditions in their new homes. However, the Great Migration reshaped American cities, boosted Black political power, and sparked cultural movements like the Harlem Renaissance.

Factors and Patterns of the Great Migration

Factors behind Great Migration

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• Economic factors
  • Decline in cotton agriculture caused by boll weevil infestation and increasing mechanization reduced demand for agricultural labor in the South
  • Lack of economic opportunities and low wages in the South limited prospects for African American workers
  • Demand for industrial labor in Northern factories during World War I created new job opportunities (steel mills, automobile plants)
• Social factors
  • Widespread racial discrimination, segregation (Jim Crow laws), and violence (lynchings) in the South made life difficult and dangerous for African Americans
  • Desire for better living conditions, educational opportunities, and overall quality of life motivated many to leave the South
  • Presence of established African American communities in Northern cities provided social networks and support systems for new migrants (Harlem, Chicago's Bronzeville)
• Political factors
  • Disenfranchisement of African Americans through Jim Crow laws and voter suppression tactics (literacy tests, poll taxes) limited their political power in the South
  • Lack of legal protection against racial violence and lynching left African Americans vulnerable and without recourse
  • Hope for greater political freedom, participation, and representation in the North attracted many migrants

Patterns of African American movement

• First Great Migration (1910-1930)
  • Primarily from the rural South to urban centers in the North and Midwest
  • Major routes: Mississippi to Chicago, and Florida to New York
  • Migrants often followed family members or friends who had already made the journey
• Second Great Migration (1940-1970)
  • Expansion to the West Coast, particularly California, in addition to ongoing migration to the North and Midwest
  • Increased migration to smaller cities and suburbs as larger cities became more crowded and expensive
• Primary destination cities
  • Chicago, Illinois: Attracted by job opportunities in meatpacking and steel industries
  • New York City, New York: Drew migrants with its diverse economy and cultural scene (Harlem Renaissance)
  • Detroit, Michigan: Offered employment in the growing automobile industry
  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Provided jobs in manufacturing and domestic service
  • Los Angeles, California: Appealed to migrants seeking a milder climate and new opportunities

Challenges and Impact of the Great Migration

Challenges for migrant populations

• Challenges during the journey
  • Financial hardships and limited resources for travel made the journey difficult and uncertain
  • Discrimination and segregation on trains and buses exposed migrants to humiliation and discomfort
  • Difficulty in finding temporary housing and food during the journey added to the stress of relocation
• Challenges upon arrival
  • Overcrowding and poor living conditions in urban ghettos due to limited housing options and discriminatory practices (redlining)
  • Discrimination in housing led to racial segregation and high rents, forcing many migrants into substandard accommodations
  • Exploitation and unfair treatment in the workplace, including lower wages and dangerous working conditions compared to white counterparts
  • Racial tensions and violence with existing white residents who felt threatened by the influx of African Americans (race riots)

Impact of migration on communities

• Impact on the African American population
  • Increased access to industrial jobs and higher wages compared to agricultural work in the South
  • Growth of African American urban communities and cultural institutions (churches, newspapers, social clubs)
  • Development of African American political power and leadership as voters and activists (Chicago's Oscar DePriest, first African American elected to Congress in the 20th century)
  • Continued challenges of racial discrimination, segregation, and economic inequality in the North and West
• Impact on destination cities
  • Rapid population growth and increased diversity as African Americans settled in cities
  • Strain on housing, education, and public services due to the sudden population influx
  • Contributions to the cultural, artistic, and musical scenes (Harlem Renaissance, Chicago blues, jazz)
  • Intensification of racial tensions and conflicts with existing residents, sometimes erupting into violence (1919 Chicago race riot)
  • Eventual white flight and urban decay in some cities as whites moved to the suburbs and resources were diverted away from inner-city neighborhoods