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    • Main contributor: Dara Tolbert Brooks
    Great Migration Population Shifts

    The exodus of African Americans from the South to the North, Midwest, Northeast and West occurred in two phases. The second phase, known as the Great Northward Migration[1], occurred from 1941 to 1970, spurred by World War II[2] and the post-war economic boom. This period saw a 90% shift from rural to urban life with its opportunities and obstacles. These vast numbers are described as "perhaps the most dramatic population movement to occur within the United States during the 20th century."

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    The Catalyst

    World War II had a profound impact on the American job market, leading to the creation of numerous jobs across various sectors. Some of the key areas included:

    • Manufacturing[3]: The war effort required the mass production of military equipment, vehicles, and supplies. Factories that had previously produced consumer goods were converted to produce tanks, airplanes, ships, and weapons leading to a significant increase in manufacturing jobs.
    • Aviation and Electronics[4]: The development of new technologies during the war, such as radar and advanced aircraft, spurred growth in the aviation and electronics industries and continued to expand after the war, creating even more jobs.
    • Construction[5]: Returning soldiers and their families created a demand for homes, leading to a surge in construction jobs.
    • Service Sector[6][7]: As the economy transitioned from wartime to peacetime, there was an increase in service sector jobs. This included positions in retail, healthcare, education, and other areas that supported the growing population and consumer demand.
    • Government and Public Sector[8]: The expansion of government programs and infrastructure projects, such as the construction of highways and public buildings, created many jobs in the public sector.
    • Food Production and Rationing[9]: Mechanization reduced the need for labor in some areas, but the demand for food production during and after the war led to job opportunities in agriculture.
    • Advances in Medical Technology[10]: War necessitated the creation of innovative techniques to treat the wounded on the battlefield. Mobile surgical units and advanced triage methods enabled timely medical interventions and have translated to improvements leading to rapid response and efficient care in military settings and can be found in the evolution of emergency today’s medical practices.

    The post-war economic boom, often referred to as the "Golden Age of Capitalism," saw significant growth in these and other sectors, contributing to some otherwise unforeseen byproducts such as:

    • The GI Bill[11] which provided veterans with access to affordable housing, further fueling the demand for housing.
    • While soldiers were at war, manufacturers had to find new pools of employees. This opened up the opportunities for not only African Americans but women as well. Women in the workplace cause a shift in the American “ideal” family.
    • New highway systems, infrastructure and more affordable automobiles coupled with increased wages made relocation more feasible.
    • Many more opportunities were available to the African American enabling economic stability and even prosperity through industrial jobs, creating the middle class.
    • The migration to cities led to the growth of African American communities and the development of cultural and social institutions.

    Mass Population Shifts Create Overcrowding

    With huge numbers arriving in urban centers in the North, Midwest, Northeast and West, communities were unprepared to handle the needs of their new residents. Overcrowding and unsafe conditions quickly became an issue.

    Several organizations played crucial roles in helping African Americans adjust to their new homes in northern and western cities. Some of the key organizations included:

    • The National Urban League[12]
  • The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)[13]
    • The Black Church

    These organizations, along with many others, assisted with housing, food, clothing, job placement, educational opportunities and navigating the new communities many found themselves in. Churches were especially important because establishing “religious and social community” is crucial to emotional well-being. Despite many obstacles, the period saw an increase in prosperity demonstrated by increased home ownership, homes with new innovations such as radios, refrigeration, automobiles and an increase in literacy and a brighter economic outlook.

    See also

    Explore more about migration and African American heritage

    References

    1. ↑ The Great Migration: A Comprehensive Overview
    2. ↑ World War II | Facts, Summary, History, Dates, Combatants, & Causes | Britannica
    3. ↑ PRODUCING THE WEAPONS OF WAR · World War II in Life Magazine Advertisements · Western CT State University Archives' Digital Collections
    4. ↑ How The Second World War Changed Aviation
    5. ↑ WW2 Era Mass-Produced Housing (Part 1) - by Brian Potter
    6. ↑ "Continued Employment after the War?": The Women's Bureau Studies Postwar Plans of Women Workers
    7. ↑ Impact of World War II on the U.S. Economy and Workforce | Iowa PBS
    8. ↑ The American Economy during World War II – EH.net
    9. ↑ Food Rationing on the World War II Home Front (U.S. National Park Service)
    10. ↑ Transformative Innovations: The Impact of WWII on Technology - Total Military Insight
    11. ↑ Servicemen's Readjustment Act (1944) | National Archives
    12. ↑ https://nul.org/mission-and-history
    13. ↑ https://naacp.org/about/our-history


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