Question

How did World War 1 contribute to the great migration?

Answer 1

Hint: The First World War was fought between 1914 to 1918 mainly in Europe. But its impact was felt around the globe. The first world war was fought between the two power blocs which were allies consisting of Britain France Russia and later joined by the United States and on the opposite were the central powers of Germany Hungary Austria and Ottoman Turkey.

Complete answer: After the United States intervened in the first world war more than seven hundred thousand black men enrolled in the US army however African Americans were barred from the army air corps and Marine corps in the US Navy and were assigned only menial jobs. The most intense effect of World War 1 on the African Americans was the mass movement of blacks in search of higher wages in industrial jobs and better political and social opportunities. This led to the emergence of the great migration which led to the rapid growth of black urban communities in cities like Chicago, New York, Saint Louis etc. It was after the imposition of disenfranchisement and Jim Crow Segregation in the southern region that a large number of black residents moved to the north for a better life. Roughly half million Southern blacks migrated to Northern cities between 1915 to 1920 and around 750,000 and one million left the South in the 1920s. This great migration and massive demographic shift all told the African American society, culture, history and politics.

Note: Jim crow segregation laws were the state and local laws enforced in the southern United State that enforced racial segregation. These laws were enacted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by white Southern lawmakers. Democrats passed laws and made electoral rolls and voting more restrictive which reduced the participation of the blacks and many poors. This led to the disfranchisement of most black people through poll taxes comprehension tests etc.