What is the Great Migration? The Great Migration was the movement of millions and millions of African Americans moving to Northern states from Southern states between the early 1900-1970's. The reason why it happened was because people didn't want to deal with segregation anymore in the South. Places like Chicago, Detroit, and New York were big Midwest and Northern cities were the population of black people went through the roof in the decade. The great migration was the way for black people to start a new life and change how people saw them. Before the great migration there were "Jim Crow" laws, black codes, and threats from any white supremacy or community trying to kill innocent black people. When World War 1 started it lead to open jobs in the North. Which meant African Americans would get better jobs, better pay, better houses/homes, and etc. But that wasn't always the case. Having more African Americans every year would lead to more space. In New York, with having black people overcrowd neighbors they ended up having a movement known as the "Harlem Renaissance". It lead to having many powerful and successful black people out of it.
Numbers Don't Lie
The Great Migration 1910-1940
Table from https://pix-media.priceonomics-media.com
This table shows the difference between 1910 and 1940's pop. of African Americans from the Great Migration.
World War 1
World War 1 was America's first world war. There are many reasons to this day on why we declared war, but the main reason is rivalry. After World War 1 there were many factors that affected the States. Also having a another World War a few decades. Click here to learn more about the war.