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 areas in the North and West between approximately 1916 and 1970. This migration significantly influenced demographic patterns, economic opportunities, and social dynamics, particularly during industrialization and later in the Civil Rights Movement, as African Americans sought better living conditions and employment opportunities away from oppressive Jim Crow laws.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Migration occurred in two main waves: the first wave from 1916 to 1940 and the second wave from 1941 to 1970.
2. Many African Americans moved to cities like Chicago, Detroit, New York City, and Philadelphia, seeking jobs in factories and other industries that were booming during this period.
3. The migration led to significant cultural shifts, including the rise of vibrant African American communities that contributed to the arts, music, and literature.
4. The Great Migration laid the groundwork for increased activism among African Americans, eventually leading to greater involvement in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
5. As a result of this migration, Northern cities experienced changes in demographics, with African Americans making up a larger portion of the urban population and influencing political and social landscapes.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Migration impact gender roles within African American communities during industrialization?
  • The Great Migration led to a significant shift in gender roles within African American communities. As men sought work in northern factories, many women took on jobs as domestic workers or entered the labor force in new sectors. This shift allowed women to gain more economic independence and change traditional family dynamics. Furthermore, as families were often separated due to migration, women increasingly became heads of households, which further altered gender expectations and roles in these communities.
• What were some cultural consequences of the Great Migration that laid the foundation for the Civil Rights Movement?
  • The Great Migration resulted in a rich cultural exchange that gave rise to movements like the Harlem Renaissance, where art, literature, and music flourished. This cultural awakening helped elevate African American voices and narratives at a critical time in history. Additionally, as African Americans settled in urban areas, they organized politically and socially to address their grievances, fostering a sense of community and activism that would become central to the Civil Rights Movement. The experience of migration itself galvanized many individuals to fight against racial injustice and seek equality.
• Evaluate how the Great Migration reshaped political landscapes in Northern cities during the Civil Rights Movement era.
  • The Great Migration significantly reshaped political landscapes in Northern cities by increasing the African American population, which resulted in greater political representation. With more voters engaging in civic life, newly established communities began organizing for their rights, forming alliances with civil rights organizations. This influx led to an awareness of racial inequalities that transcended geographic boundaries and motivated collective action. Consequently, local leaders emerged who could advocate for civil rights issues at both community levels and within national movements, fundamentally altering the political discourse surrounding race relations during this pivotal period.

Related terms

Jim Crow Laws:

State and local laws that enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States from the late 19th century until the mid-20th century.

Harlem Renaissance: A cultural and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s, highlighting African American literature, music, and art as a response to migration and racial discrimination.

Urbanization:

The process by which rural populations move to urban areas, resulting in the growth of cities and changes in social structures.