Between 1910 and 1920, approximately 500,000 African Americans migrated north in hopes of better jobs, improved living conditions and to escape inequality.

Migrate-to go from one country, region or place to another; usually in a large group

•1916 Pennsylvania Railroad company brought southern black men north to work on the railway lines

•With the idea of work and better living conditions over 500,000 African Americans traveled to the North

They wanted to escape bigotry ( a person with negative opinions who will not change), poverty and racial violence.

Many wanted better lives for their families

Wanted an education for their children

Wanted to live in communities without hate

Wanted to go to restaurants to eat

Why leave the South?

• Cotton Depression – cotton prices were decreasing, meaning less $ for AA’s

• Jim Crow Laws– Segregated Schools, restaurants, hotels,

railroad cars and hospitals– Voting restrictions

Due to the war, factories were hiring people that they previously declined – especially African Americans

Why the North?

• Factories in the North needed workers to create war materials

• Many whites were drafted into the army which opened up their jobs

• Blacks were willing to work when workers went on strike

• Salaries were higher in the North– South = .50 cents-$2/day– North = $2-$5/day

Which States did many African Americans migrate to?

Which States did most African-American

travel to during the GREAT MIGRATION?

• New York City, New York- Harlem

• Philadelphia, PA

• Chicago, IL

• Detroit, MI

• St. Louis, MO

Persisting Problems

• The hiring of black workers created hostilities between the whites and blacks of the North.– Strikebreakers – People who work during a strike– Race riots – KKK

• The Great Migration helped to make race relations a national problem, rather than just a Southern issue.