The great migration

Leaving the Jim crow south Jim Crow laws gave Blacks a reason to leave World War I gave them the opportunity to leave Summer 1914 until November 11, 1918 Blacks trickled into North: 1900 and 1910 “Talented Tenth” moving to northern cities

The numbers Before World War I, 90% Blacks lived in the South. 75% of southern Blacks lived in rural areas “Great Migration” – 1914 through 1920 600,000 blacks went North 1920s -- 749,000 left the South. By 1960, 75% of all African Americans lived in cities By 1960, about half of all Blacks lived outside the South

Blacks were “pushed” out of the South by The increase in racial violence The increase in political and social discrimination An economic crisis in southern agriculture Caused by wide-scale flooding The spread of the boll weevil Northern Black newspaper editors urged Blacks to leave the South

Blacks were “pulled” to the North by Fairer political and social treatment Jobs -- World War I created a demand for labor in Meat-packing, mining, the steel industry, the chemical industry Ammunition depots, automotive industries, the railroads Men and women found work in northern factories Many of the people who once did these jobs were not available Immigrants White workers

Black migration before world War I Before World War I, Blacks moved North in stages First, from the rural areas to southern cities Then they continued on to the urban North By the time they reached the North they were familiar with urban life

Black migration during world War I Blacks tended to move directly from the rural areas No stopover in a southern city These new migrants were . . . less familiar with urban life, poorer less skilled and educated

tensions in the Black community Differences created tension within the Black communities Established Blacks vs. newcomers to the northern cities Some northern Blacks welcomed the newcomers Others resented the recent arrivals They competed for jobs Northern Blacks felt the superior

Life in the North New arrivals found low-skilled jobs New arrivals made less money than white workers In 1910, Black workers made 1/3 what white workers made New arrivals faced discrimination by white employers

the nation Urban League Tried to help the newly arrived Black workers Founded by conservative blacks and white philanthropists Used moral suasion to get employers to hire Blacks

Labor unions Traditionally, Blacks were kept out of most labor unions, American Federation of Labor (AFL) The AFL excluded women and immigrants Most blacks, women, & immigrants were unskilled workers Only skilled workers were allowed to join the AFL Post World War I labor unrest -- Blacks became strikebreakers White workers usually got their jobs back when strike ended Resentment from white laborers intensified

Leisure Black men spent their free time like most white workers Taverns and poolrooms attracted single men Many of the poolrooms were owned by Blacks In 1920, 1,582 poolrooms were blacks-owned The 7th most common black-owned business Saloons or “workingmen’s clubs” offered gym facilities Boxing and cockfights Lots of gambling in these places

Professional sports Many African Americans enjoyed going to sporting events Baseball was the most popular sport Sporting events were not easy to attend The cost Daytime, most were working Prior to 1947, baseball was segregated.

Black-owned professional sports teams The New York Renaissance, known as the “The Rens” Harlem entrepreneur Robert Douglas First all-black, black-owned professional basketball team Most of their games were played on the road. Rens played white professional teams in exhibitions

negro league baseball In 1920, Andrew “Rube” Foster The National Negro Baseball League. eight teams All but one of the team owners was black Professional Black baseball lasted until 1947 Jackie Robinson broke the “color barrier” April 15, 1947 -- Brooklyn Dodgers