Great Migration

Definition

The Great Migration refers to the mass movement of over six million African Americans from the rural Southern United States to urban centers in the North and West between 1916 and 1970. This migration was driven by a combination of push factors like racial discrimination, economic hardship, and violence in the South, alongside pull factors such as job opportunities and better living conditions in industrial cities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Migration significantly changed the demographics of cities like Chicago, Detroit, and New York, where large African American communities formed.
2. This movement had a profound impact on American culture, leading to new musical styles like jazz and blues that originated in urban settings.
3. The migration was not uniform; it occurred in two major waves: the first wave from 1916 to 1940 and the second wave from 1941 to 1970.
4. Economic opportunities in Northern factories during World War I and World War II were major pull factors for many migrants seeking work.
5. The Great Migration contributed to the rise of civil rights activism as migrants faced new forms of discrimination in their new urban environments.

Review Questions

• How did the push and pull factors influence the decisions of African Americans during the Great Migration?
  • Push factors such as oppressive Jim Crow laws, systemic racism, and economic hardship forced many African Americans to leave the South. Meanwhile, pull factors like job opportunities in Northern factories and a chance for better living conditions attracted them to urban areas. This interplay of factors created a significant shift in population dynamics as they sought improved opportunities away from the oppressive conditions they faced in the South.
• Discuss how the Great Migration affected cultural developments in America during the early to mid-20th century.
  • The Great Migration played a pivotal role in shaping American culture by facilitating the Harlem Renaissance and other cultural movements. As African Americans settled in cities, they brought with them their rich traditions and artistic expressions. This led to a flourishing of music, literature, and art that celebrated African American identity and experiences, which significantly influenced broader American culture and challenged prevailing racial stereotypes.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the Great Migration on urban communities and civil rights movements in America.
  • The Great Migration had lasting effects on urban communities as it transformed demographics and social structures within cities. The concentration of African Americans in urban areas led to increased political power and visibility, fostering a sense of community and shared identity. Over time, these changes laid the groundwork for civil rights movements by mobilizing activists who fought against both systemic discrimination in housing and employment as well as for voting rights, fundamentally altering the landscape of American society.

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 civil rights movement.

Harlem Renaissance: A cultural, social, and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s, significantly influenced by the influx of African Americans during the Great Migration.

Urbanization: The process of population movement from rural areas to cities, resulting in the growth of urban centers, which was notably accelerated by the Great Migration.