The Great Migration

Starting around 1910, millions of Black Americans left the South. They moved to cities in the North and West looking for better lives. They wanted to escape unfair laws and find good jobs. This massive movement of people is called the Great Migration.

Why People Left

Life in the South was hard for Black Americans. Jim Crow laws kept them segregated and treated unfairly. Many worked as sharecroppers on farms and earned very little money. Factory jobs in Northern cities offered better pay and more freedom.

A New Life in the City

About 6 million Black Americans moved north and west over several decades. They settled in cities like Chicago, Detroit, New York, and Los Angeles. Black communities created vibrant neighborhoods with their own businesses and churches. This movement helped spark the Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights Movement.

Fun Facts

• About 6 million Black Americans moved during the Great Migration, from 1910 to 1970.
• Chicago's Black population grew from about 44,000 in 1910 to over 1 million by 1970.
• The Great Migration helped spread jazz, blues, and gospel music across America.

Did You Know?

The Great Migration was one of the largest internal movements of people in American history.