Great Migration

Definition

The Great Migration refers to the mass movement of African Americans from the rural Southern United States to urban areas in the North and West between the early 20th century and the 1970s. This migration was driven by a search for better economic opportunities, escaping Jim Crow laws, and the desire for a more equitable life, significantly impacting the cultural landscape of American society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Migration began around 1916 and continued into the 1970s, with over six million African Americans relocating from the South to various Northern cities.
2. Key cities that experienced significant influxes included Chicago, Detroit, New York City, and Philadelphia, transforming these urban landscapes with rich African American cultural contributions.
3. The migration was influenced by economic factors such as labor shortages in northern factories during World War I and World War II, as well as escaping oppressive social conditions in the South.
4. Literature and art flourished during this time, with authors like Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, and Richard Wright capturing the experiences and struggles of African Americans in their works.
5. The Great Migration had lasting effects on American society, leading to increased urbanization of African American populations and changing demographics that influenced civil rights movements in subsequent decades.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Migration influence African American literature during the early to mid-20th century?
  • The Great Migration had a profound impact on African American literature by providing a new context for writers to explore themes of identity, resilience, and community. As many African Americans moved to urban centers, their experiences of displacement and adaptation became central to literary narratives. This period saw a surge in voices such as those of Morrison, Ellison, and Baldwin, who captured the complexities of race relations and personal struggles against a backdrop of changing societal norms.
• What role did the Harlem Renaissance play in shaping the cultural identity of African Americans during and after the Great Migration?
  • The Harlem Renaissance played a critical role in shaping African American cultural identity by celebrating black heritage through literature, music, and art. Emerging from the Great Migration's demographic changes, this movement allowed artists and intellectuals to express their experiences and challenges. It fostered a sense of racial pride and solidarity among African Americans while also challenging stereotypes, influencing subsequent generations to embrace their cultural legacy.
• Evaluate how the economic motivations behind the Great Migration interacted with social conditions in both Northern cities and Southern states.
  • The economic motivations for the Great Migration were intertwined with dire social conditions faced by African Americans in Southern states. Many left their homes seeking better job prospects in Northern factories due to labor shortages during both World Wars. However, upon arrival in Northern cities, they often encountered systemic racism, discrimination in housing and employment, as well as overcrowded living conditions. This contrast highlighted both the hopes for a better life and the stark realities of continued racial inequality, which would later fuel civil rights activism.

Related terms

Jim Crow Laws: State and local laws enacted in the Southern United States that enforced racial segregation and disenfranchisement of African Americans from the late 19th century until the mid-20th century.

Harlem Renaissance:

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

New Negro Movement: A cultural and social movement among African Americans in the early 20th century that emphasized racial pride, cultural identity, and political activism, often associated with figures from the Harlem Renaissance.