GREAT MIGRATION GUIDED READINGAfrican-American History pg. 575 – 582

1. Look at Table 16-1 on page 575. Are you surprised to see any of these cities on the list of those with large black population growth? Why do you think these cities became such popular place for African-Americans from the South to settle?

2. What were the main industries in the North that began hiring African-Americans? Why was their work becoming desired in this time period?

3. Describe the situation of African-Americans living in the South in the early 20th Century. What were the features of Northern society that would have appealed to African-Americans living in the south in this time period?

4. Look at the painting by Jacob Lawrence on page 576. What can it tell us about the typical transportation method and destinations of black migrants?

5. In what types of neighborhoods did black migrants tend to settle in the North? How does this compare to the settlement of immigrants to the U.S. as we discussed?

6. What factors contributed to racial tension in Chicago?

7. Why did Harlem become a neighborhood so highly populated by African-Americans?

8. Think about industry, labor, and family life. What are the similarities between the migration of African-Americans to the North and the immigration of Europeans to the U.S.? Are there any differences?

9. How much different do you think life was for African-Americans in the North as compared to those in the South in the early 20th century? Do you think that life is different for African-Americans in the North and the South today?