The Great Migration was a time when six million African Americans relocated from the South to the North for economic prosperity. At the time, African Americans were trying to flee the troubles of racism in the South as well as the oppressive conditions. With the occurrence of World War I, many felt that they could pursue a better life in the North. In turn, urban communities, such as Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, and New York, saw their black population rise up to 20 percent between 1910 and 1930. Overall, the Great Migration was one of the largest mass movements America has ever seen.
During the early years of 1900, African American living conditions were said to be far from ideal. Not too long after the Civil War, many African Americans …show more content…
At this time, it was the nations leading African American newspaper. Many job opportunities were advertised in this newspaper but so were black social issues. Whenever lynchings occurred, they were often discussed in the Chicago Defender. After a number of serious incidents, the Defender’s publisher, Robert Abbot, was convinced that the Migration was an effective tactic for hurting the white South and a real opportunity for African Americans to live in freedom (The Atlantic). In fact, after seeing the impact on the southern economy, Abbot embraced the movement, calling it a “Second Emancipation” (The …show more content…
After working in the North for a while, these workers found that the money they were earning was far too little. With a higher cost of living, high rents became troublesome (Sonneborn). Blacks were often forced out of areas where whites were living and into all-black neighborhoods (Sonneborn). These neighborhoods were more in the oldest, most dilapidated parts of town (Sonneborn). If a black attempted to buy a home in one of the white neighborhoods, they often risked becoming a target of violence (Sonneborn). Furthermore, landlords eventually divided apartments into smaller and smaller units. Because of the high demand for housing, they were also able to charge higher rents (Sonneborn).
Looking back, the Great Migration was both a positive and a negative era. Fortunately, African Americans were able to find jobs and homes even though they were not the best. However, this was definitely a huge milestone in American history. American was once a country who did not even view African Americans as humans. For whites to hire and assist blacks during this time is actually amazing. It was a huge step that eventually lead our country to truly be the United
During the early years of 1900, African American living conditions were said to be far from ideal. Not too long after the Civil War, many African Americans …show more content…
At this time, it was the nations leading African American newspaper. Many job opportunities were advertised in this newspaper but so were black social issues. Whenever lynchings occurred, they were often discussed in the Chicago Defender. After a number of serious incidents, the Defender’s publisher, Robert Abbot, was convinced that the Migration was an effective tactic for hurting the white South and a real opportunity for African Americans to live in freedom (The Atlantic). In fact, after seeing the impact on the southern economy, Abbot embraced the movement, calling it a “Second Emancipation” (The …show more content…
After working in the North for a while, these workers found that the money they were earning was far too little. With a higher cost of living, high rents became troublesome (Sonneborn). Blacks were often forced out of areas where whites were living and into all-black neighborhoods (Sonneborn). These neighborhoods were more in the oldest, most dilapidated parts of town (Sonneborn). If a black attempted to buy a home in one of the white neighborhoods, they often risked becoming a target of violence (Sonneborn). Furthermore, landlords eventually divided apartments into smaller and smaller units. Because of the high demand for housing, they were also able to charge higher rents (Sonneborn).
Looking back, the Great Migration was both a positive and a negative era. Fortunately, African Americans were able to find jobs and homes even though they were not the best. However, this was definitely a huge milestone in American history. American was once a country who did not even view African Americans as humans. For whites to hire and assist blacks during this time is actually amazing. It was a huge step that eventually lead our country to truly be the United