The Great Migration was the movement of 6 million African American left the Southern states and went to the to the Northeast, Midwest, and West. It started in 1910 and lasted until the 1960's. Between 1910 and 1930 was the first Great Migration in which 1.6 million African Americans immigrated. After a lull during the Great Depression a second Great Migration in which 5 million or more people moved from the South, many of them moved to Western cities. In 1910 and 1970 African Americans moved from 14 states in the South, the most of them moved from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Some African Americans moved to Canada in order to remain safe from anti-abolitionists.
More townspeople with urban skills moved during the second Great Migration. By the end of the second Great Migration, African Americans had become an urbanized population. More than 80 percent of African Americans lived in cities, a majority of 53 percent remained in the South, while 40 percent lived in the North, and 7 percent lived in the West. Black migration picked up from the start of the new century, with 204,000 leaving in the first decade. The pace accelerated with the outbreak of World War 1 and continued through the 1920s. By 1930, there were 1.3 million former southerners living in other regions.
African Americans were recruited for industrial jobs, such as positions with the expansion of the Pennsylvania Railroad. African Americans moves as individuals or small family groups. There was no government assistance but often but often Northern industries would recruit people.
More townspeople with urban skills moved during the second Great Migration. By the end of the second Great Migration, African Americans had become an urbanized population. More than 80 percent of African Americans lived in cities, a majority of 53 percent remained in the South, while 40 percent lived in the North, and 7 percent lived in the West. Black migration picked up from the start of the new century, with 204,000 leaving in the first decade. The pace accelerated with the outbreak of World War 1 and continued through the 1920s. By 1930, there were 1.3 million former southerners living in other regions.
African Americans were recruited for industrial jobs, such as positions with the expansion of the Pennsylvania Railroad. African Americans moves as individuals or small family groups. There was no government assistance but often but often Northern industries would recruit people.
