Great Migration

Definition

The Great Migration refers to the mass movement of African Americans from the rural Southern United States to urban centers in the North and West during the early to mid-20th century, primarily between 1916 and 1970. This demographic shift had profound effects on urbanization, cultural identity, and social dynamics, as millions sought better economic opportunities and escape from racial segregation and violence in the South.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Migration is often divided into two waves: the first wave occurred from 1916 to 1940, and the second wave spanned from 1941 to 1970.
2. Major cities that experienced significant influxes of migrants included Chicago, Detroit, New York City, and Philadelphia, all of which saw changes in their demographic composition.
3. Migrants were driven by various push factors in the South, such as poverty, limited job opportunities, and violent racism, as well as pull factors like industrial jobs in Northern factories during World War I and II.
4. The Great Migration significantly contributed to the growth of African American communities in urban areas, leading to new cultural expressions and political activism.
5. This migration played a crucial role in reshaping American society, influencing everything from music and literature to civil rights movements and labor relations.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Migration impact urbanization patterns in American cities?
  • The Great Migration led to significant urbanization in American cities as millions of African Americans moved from rural Southern areas to urban centers seeking better opportunities. This influx changed the demographic makeup of cities like Chicago and Detroit, where African American populations grew rapidly. As these communities established themselves, they contributed to economic growth and cultural development while also highlighting challenges related to housing and employment discrimination.
• Discuss how the push and pull factors associated with the Great Migration influenced individual decisions among African Americans.
  • Push factors such as systemic poverty, oppressive Jim Crow laws, and violent racial conditions in the South compelled many African Americans to leave their homes. Meanwhile, pull factors like job availability in Northern factories during wartime or the prospect of a more tolerant environment encouraged migration. These personal decisions were often based on a combination of seeking safety, opportunity for advancement, and the desire for improved living conditions.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the Great Migration on American culture and society.
  • The long-term effects of the Great Migration are evident in various aspects of American culture and society. It fostered the emergence of vibrant African American communities in urban centers that became cultural hubs during movements like the Harlem Renaissance. This migration also laid groundwork for civil rights activism as migrants sought equal rights in their new homes. Overall, it significantly shaped contemporary social dynamics, urban landscapes, and cultural identities within America.

Related terms

Urbanization:

The process by which an increasing percentage of a population comes to live in urban areas, often driven by economic opportunities and the search for a better quality of life.

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 centered in Harlem, New York during the 1920s, which celebrated African American heritage and creativity, partly fueled by the Great Migration.