Great Migration

Definition

The Great Migration refers to the massive movement of African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West during the early 20th century, particularly between 1916 and 1970. This migration was driven by various factors, including the search for better economic opportunities, escape from racial discrimination, and the impacts of World War I that created labor shortages in northern industries.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Migration saw an estimated 6 million African Americans leave the South for northern and western cities between 1916 and 1970.
2. Economic factors were a major driver of this migration, as World War I created job opportunities in factories that were previously unavailable to many African Americans.
3. Many migrants settled in cities like Chicago, Detroit, and New York City, contributing to significant demographic shifts in these areas.
4. The migration led to a vibrant cultural renaissance in urban centers, influencing music styles like jazz and blues as well as fostering new literary movements.
5. Racial tensions and violence often accompanied the migration, as established populations reacted to the influx of new residents, leading to incidents like the Chicago Race Riot of 1919.

Review Questions

• How did World War I impact the Great Migration and influence African American communities in northern cities?
  • World War I significantly impacted the Great Migration by creating a labor shortage in northern industries, prompting employers to recruit African Americans from the South. This recruitment offered new economic opportunities that attracted many individuals seeking better livelihoods away from oppressive conditions. As a result, large numbers of African Americans migrated northward, leading to a transformation of urban communities and contributing to the establishment of vibrant cultural hubs.
• Evaluate the social consequences of the Great Migration on both the migrants and the communities they moved to.
  • The Great Migration brought profound social changes for both migrants and their new communities. For migrants, it provided access to better jobs and living conditions while also exposing them to new forms of racial discrimination and tensions in urban settings. In contrast, established communities faced demographic shifts that resulted in cultural exchanges but also ignited racial conflicts, reflecting a struggle for resources and social acceptance as both groups adjusted to their changing environments.
• Assess how the Great Migration contributed to broader trends in American society and culture during the early 20th century.
  • The Great Migration played a crucial role in reshaping American society and culture by fostering greater visibility for African American experiences and contributions. It led to cultural movements such as the Harlem Renaissance, which celebrated black identity through art and literature while also challenging systemic racism. Furthermore, this migration laid the groundwork for civil rights activism by uniting diverse communities around common struggles for equality, helping to elevate issues of racial justice on a national stage that would resonate through subsequent decades.

Related terms

Harlem Renaissance: A cultural and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s, characterized by a flourishing of African American literature, music, and art.

Jim Crow Laws: State and local laws enacted in the South that enforced racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans from the late 19th century until the mid-20th century.

New Negro Movement: A cultural movement during the early 20th century that encouraged African Americans to express their identity and assert their rights through art, literature, and social activism.