America: Northern Migration Flashcards
What was the northern migration?
1917-1932
It was a wave of African American migration from the south to the north and east
By 1920, what cities did a lot of African Americans live in?
Almost 40% of African Americans in the north lived in Chicago,Detroit,Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus
In the east it was New York,Philadelphia and Pittsburg
How many people moved from the south in the great migration?
Over 6 million between 1916-1970
What was the main cause for the northern migration?
The US entry into the First World War
Increase in the need for workers in munition factories
Factory owners advertised in southern newspapers for workers, they offered housing,good wages and free transport there
Many were also encouraged by friends who were already in the north
Conditions in the north
No Jim Crow segregation but there was still divisions
Lived in cramped condions, large areas of cities became ghettos e.g. Harlem New York
Some African Americans lived in white neighbourhoods and worked as domestic servants
They mostly took unskilled jobs
But could speak,act and vote more freely. They had political influence
What was the impact of migration on the north?
Population of large cities rose sharply
Black people quickly gained political influence
An African American campaigning for a political position was very likely to gain the whole black vote
Give an example of how the northern migration brought political influence for African Americans?
Mayoral election in Chicago in 1919, the black vote was decisive in keeping the mayor in power
Where did African Americans not gain political influence?
New York
The city was too tightly controlled by white groups and the black population was evenly distributed over the city
What did African Americans establish in the north that lead to racial tension in later years?
Black communities established own businesses, churches and schools which were later bases for organised civil rights protests
Black workers replaced white workers in areas where they were trying to unionise to get better working conditions
Impact of the northern migration on the south
The southern workforce shrank, farmers struggled to replace the workers which caused economic problems
The poorest suffered-which was mostly African Americans
It also changed southern white perspective: they believed that the African Americans who remained in the south were prepared to accept Jim Crow
What was the impact of the was on African American soldiers?
They experienced a desegregated society when they served abroad in Europe and became increasingly aware of the discrimination in the US
The became increasingly assertive in newspapers, writers and campaigners sought to publicise inequalities present in US society
Give an example of racial violence after ww1
27th July 1919
An African American teenager was drowned in Lake Michigan after violating the unofficial segregation of the beaches and being stoned by white youths
Rioting was sparked between black and white Chicago gangs after his death and police refusing to arrest a man whom eyewitnesses said caused it
What was the impact of the war on white soldiers?
They found increased competition for jobs and houses in northern cites upon their return due to northern migration
This lead to violence sometimes
Consequences of riots in chicago after an African american teenager was drowned in Lake Michigan
Riots ended on the 3rd august
15 whites and 23 black people were killed and more than 500 injured
1’000 black families lost their homes when they were torched by rioters
Population of New York in 1910
91’709
