The African American “Great Migration”
Between the end of the Civil War (1865) and the beginning of
the Great Depression (1929), almost two million African Americans moved
from the rural South to look for new opportunities. While some moved
west, most of this Great Migration, as the large number of African
Americans leaving the South was called, moved to the Northeast and Upper
Midwest. More than two-thirds of them moved to the following cities:
New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Detroit, Pittsburgh,
Cleveland, and Indianapolis.
There are “push” and “pull” factors for any migration (the
movement of a large number of people). Even though the Civil War had
ended and laws were passed to end slavery and protect the right to vote,
African Americans still experienced intense racism. Groups like the Ku
Klux Klan caused death threats, violence, and lynchings (murder by
hanging). According to researchers at the Tuskegee Institute, there were
thirty-five hundred lynchings and other murders committed in the South
between 1865 and 1900. For African Americans fleeing this violence,
northern and midwestern cities offered an opportunity to escape the
dangers of the South.
In addition to this “push” out of the South, African Americans
were also “pulled” to the cities by job opportunities and the chance to
vote (for men, at least). Many African Americans did not have money to
move themselves, but factory owners and other businesses helped pay for
their moves. Because of racism, African American workers still had the
lower-paying jobs in steel mills, mines, construction, and meat packing.
In the railroad industry, they often worked as porters or servants. In
other businesses, they worked as janitors, waiters, or cooks. African
American women, who faced racism and sexism, often worked as maids and
domestic servants. Nevertheless, African Americans earned higher wages
in the North than they did for the same jobs in the South, and found
housing more easily.
However, life in the city was still difficult. African
Americans still experienced the higher cost of living in the North,
especially in terms of rent and food. As a result, housing was often
overcrowded and dirty. They still experienced racism from landlords,
bankers and neighbors. So why move to the North, since the economic
problems were similar to those in the South? African Americans moved for
non-economic gains. In the North they found greater educational
opportunities and personal freedom. Similarly, unlike the South where
African Americans often experienced violence, life in larger, crowded
cities permitted African Americans to move, work, and speak freely.
Directions: Answer the following question.
Discussion Parameters
Your answer should exhibit
careful thought and logical reasoning and provide evidence for your
position. Each answer should be at least 5-7 long sentences.
Use correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
1. What is the “push” factor that caused African Americans to leave
the South? Do you think they were justifiable to leave the south?
2. What were two non-economic gains from African Americans who moved to Northern cities?
3. Why was life in the city still different for African Americans? Compare and contrast city life to southern life.
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