Great Migration

Definition

The Great Migration refers to the mass movement of over six million African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West between 1916 and 1970. This migration significantly influenced the cultural, social, and economic landscape of American cities, contributing to the rise of cultural diversity and shifting historical settlement patterns as communities adapted to new environments.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Migration began during World War I when labor shortages in northern industries drew many African Americans seeking better job opportunities.
2. Many migrants settled in cities like Chicago, Detroit, New York City, and Philadelphia, leading to significant demographic changes in these urban areas.
3. The migration contributed to the development of vibrant African American communities and cultural expressions, such as jazz and blues music.
4. As migrants faced challenges such as discrimination and housing shortages, they often formed close-knit neighborhoods that preserved their cultural heritage.
5. The Great Migration played a crucial role in shaping the Civil Rights Movement by fostering a sense of unity and political activism among African Americans in urban centers.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Migration influence cultural diversity in American cities?
  • The Great Migration brought millions of African Americans from the rural South to urban centers in the North and West, significantly enhancing cultural diversity. As these migrants established communities, they contributed rich cultural traditions, including music genres like jazz and blues, literature, and visual arts. This influx not only transformed the cultural landscape of cities but also led to a broader recognition of African American contributions to American society.
• What were some economic factors that motivated African Americans to leave the South during the Great Migration?
  • Economic factors played a key role in motivating African Americans to leave the South during the Great Migration. Many sought better job opportunities due to labor shortages caused by World War I. Northern industries offered higher wages compared to sharecropping in the South, where economic prospects were limited due to Jim Crow laws and systemic racism. This pursuit of economic stability was a driving force behind the migration.
• Evaluate how the Great Migration set the stage for future civil rights movements in America.
  • The Great Migration laid important groundwork for future civil rights movements by creating a more politically aware and active African American population in urban areas. As migrants experienced both economic opportunity and racial discrimination, they organized community efforts and became increasingly involved in advocacy for civil rights. This collective identity and sense of urgency helped catalyze movements such as the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, as individuals sought to challenge systemic inequality and fight for their rights.

Related terms

Harlem Renaissance: A cultural movement in the 1920s that celebrated African American art, literature, and music, emerging primarily in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City.

Jim Crow Laws: State and local laws enacted in the South that enforced racial segregation and disenfranchised African Americans from the late 19th century until the civil rights movement.

Urbanization: The process by which rural areas grow into urban areas, often driven by migration and resulting in increased population density in cities.