GREAT MIGRATION Meaning and
Definition
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The Great Migration refers to the mass movement of millions of African Americans from the rural areas of the Southern United States to the urban regions in the North, Midwest, and West between 1910 and 1970. This significant demographic shift was primarily driven by economic, social, and political factors.
Economically, the Great Migration was triggered by the lack of job opportunities and low wages for African Americans in the South, particularly as sharecroppers and agricultural laborers. The promise of better job opportunities in the industrial cities of the North, where factories were booming due to the demands of World War I and later the Second World War, fueled the desire for migration.
Socially, the Great Migration can be seen as a response to the harsh and oppressive conditions experienced by African Americans in the Jim Crow South. Racial segregation, discrimination, and widespread violence, including lynching, pushed many individuals and families to seek a better life and escape the systemic racism of the South.
Politically, the Great Migration played a pivotal role in reshaping the demographics and political landscape of the United States. The increased concentration of African Americans in urban areas led to the formation of vibrant communities and the rise of influential African American leaders and organizations that played crucial roles in the civil rights movement.
Overall, the Great Migration was a transformative event in American history, altering the lives of millions of African Americans and contributing to the broader cultural and social dynamics of the United States.
Etymology of GREAT MIGRATION
The word "migration" has its roots in the Latin word "migratio", which means "to move from one place to another". It comes from the verb "migrare", which means "to move, change, or shift". term "migration" refers to the process of moving from one region, country, or place to settle in another.
The phrase "great migration" specifically refers to a significant mass movement of people from one place to another. It became popularly used to describe two major historical events:
1. Great Migration of the African Americans: This term is commonly associated with the movement of millions of African Americans from the rural southern United States to the urban industrial centers of the North, Midwest, and West between the years 1910 and 1970. This movement was mainly driven by economic opportunities, the desire to escape racial discrimination and violence, and the hope for a better quality of life.
