What factors contributed to the “Great Migration” of African Americans during the 20th century?

The “Great Migration” refers to the significant movement of African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West during the early to mid-20th century, particularly from roughly 1916 to 1970. The primary factors that contributed to this migration were the desire to escape the oppressive conditions of racial segregation and to seek better economic opportunities.

In the South, African Americans faced systemic racism enforced by Jim Crow laws, which upheld racial segregation in all aspects of public life, including education, transportation, and even access to basic services. This oppressive environment was often coupled with economic hardship, limited job opportunities, and exploitative labor conditions, particularly in agriculture.

Conversely, during the Great Migration, Northern cities were experiencing industrial growth and labor shortages, particularly during and after World War I. Factories needed workers, and many African Americans saw this as an opportunity to find better-paying jobs and improve their quality of life. The promise of greater economic prospects and relatively better social conditions in the North drew many to leave their homes in search of a more equitable existence.

While the other factors mentioned, such as desire for higher education, involvement in the military, and access to free land, played roles in the broader context of African American history