The Great Migration
Multiple southern states put a law against loitering (can’t stand around)
black individuals loitering were a perceived threat to business because racist white individuals didn’t want to see them there
harsh sentences (up to 10 years)
Difficult to achieve upwards mobility in the South →born poor, live poor, kids are poor → cycle
African Americans wanted to leave a place they were discriminated in and go to a place where they could build up their wealth and a better future for themselves and their kids
WWI veterans return and expect to be given factory jobs, but instead, they face competition from those who migrated north in search of opportunities, leading to increased tensions in urban areas.
What is redlining
Redlining is a discriminatory practice that began in the 1930s in the United States, where banks and mortgage lenders would categorize neighborhoods based on the perceived creditworthiness of the residents. Typically, predominantly black or minority neighborhoods were marked as 'high risk' for lending, resulting in systemic denial of mortgages and insurance. This practice contributed to the segregation of cities and the economic decline of communities of color, as residents were unable to obtain loans for home purchases or improvements, perpetuating cycles of poverty and limiting wealth accumulation.
The impact of redlining was profound, as it not only restricted access to housing but also stifled economic growth in these communities, making it increasingly difficult for families to escape the cycle of poverty.
Black people aren’t allowed to settle in all areas (limited to certain ones)
Blacks and Jews were redlined
Why wouldn’t white southerners in the era of Jim Crow want their African American employees and tenants to work hard and be ambitious?
If African American employees and tenants were hardworking and ambitious, it would lead them to seek better conditions for themselves (equality + increased application of freedom), thus possibly endangering the status quo of white overseers still commanding most of the political and socioeconomic power within the South.
Connection btwn Reconstruction and the Great Migration:
The Great Migration was significantly influenced by the conditions that arose from the Reconstruction era. After the Civil War, Reconstruction aimed to restore the South and integrate formerly enslaved people into society. However, the failure of Reconstruction to secure lasting improvements for African Americans led to continued oppression, particularly through Jim Crow laws. As disenfranchisement, violence, and economic hardships persisted, many African Americans sought better opportunities elsewhere. Thus, the Great Migration, which occurred primarily from the 1910s to the 1970s, saw millions of African Americans move from the rural South to northern cities in search of jobs, safety, and a chance to escape
Causes of the Great Migration
The Great Migration was primarily caused by a combination of factors:
Racial Oppression: The enforcement of Jim Crow laws in the South led to widespread disenfranchisement and violence against African Americans, prompting many to seek safety and freedom in northern cities.
Failure of Reconstruction: The lack of meaningful progress and protections for African Americans after the Civil War meant ongoing poverty and oppression in the South, driving many to migrate.
Economic Hardships: The Southern agricultural economy was struggling, leading to limited job opportunities for African Americans. Many sought better employment prospects in the North.
World War I Demand for Labor: The labor shortage during World War I created job opportunities in Northern factories, attracting many African Americans looking for work.
Greater wages were the key to building future wealth, despite all the restrictions and limitations on the wealth-building of African Americans (i.e. redlining)
Desire for Better Living Conditions: Many sought to escape the entrenched poverty and lack of upward mobility in the South, hoping for a better quality of life for themselves and future generations.