The Great Migration: How African Americans Found Economic Opportunities in Northern Cities

(WW) , movement of over 300,000 African American from the rural south into Northern cities between 1914 and 1920

Great Migration

This movement is known as the Great Migration, and it occurred primarily as a response to the economic opportunities that were available in the North at the time. Many African Americans who lived in the rural South were sharecroppers or had other low-paying agricultural jobs, and they saw a chance to improve their economic prospects by moving to industrial cities in the North.

During World War I, industries in the North experienced a labor shortage, as many white men were drafted into the military. As a result, factories and other businesses began recruiting African Americans to fill the open positions. Additionally, the war led to increased demand for goods, which further boosted the economy and created more jobs.

The Great Migration had a profound impact on American society, as the African American population in the North increased significantly, and many previously segregated communities became more diverse. However, the migration also had its challenges, as many African Americans faced discrimination and hostility in their new cities. Despite these challenges, the Great Migration remains an important chapter in African American history, and it played a key role in shaping the social and economic landscape of the United States in the early 20th century.

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