The Great Migration

The Great Migration was the relocation of more than six million African Americans from the South to the North. They moved from rural areas to the cities, where more jobs and opportunities were available. The factory wages were triple what they made in the south. This movement occurred from 1916-1930.

African American’s were pushed into bad living and working conditions, creating their own public life in places like Harlem. The African American culture influenced ages such as the Harlem Renaissance and the “Jazz Age”, which are known as part of the Artistic movement. Historical figures that derived from this era are people like Langston Hughes; an African American poet who helped influenced African education.

City populations increased greatly by African Americans migrating during the Roaring 1920’s, inhabiting neighborhoods. The Harlem Renaissance was a big event during this time that was influenced by the Artistic Movement, stimulating the playing of jazz all throughout African communities. This also helped sprout dances and literature written by

The Great Migration came to a close end during the Great Depression, but started back up during World War II. The South faced oppressive economic conditions, encouraging African-Americans to migrate to the North. The reason for this was the sudden need for factory workers due to World War I. They faced racial issues and abuse from the Ku Klux Klan, which simmered down once they went north.

This era in American history is important because it gave influence to later decades and began a new genre of music that spread all throughout the country. Not only did it affect the social aspects of the Roaring 20’s but political movements. African American’s, who were disenfranchised in the South, began a new life in the North. They wanted to escape Jim Crow Laws, and the North supplied a bigger and better lifestyle creating African communities throughout the cities.