Lesson 3: Moving to Northern Cities
Thousands of African Americans moved from the south to the north during World War 1.
People on the Move
Migration is the act of moving within a country.
Jacob Lawrence, an American artist, was a part of the Great Migration of African Americans from the south moving north. As a child his parents moved north to Philadelphia from the south. He grew up to be an artist who made some paintings about the Great Migration.
In the early 1900s, many African Americans left their southern homes moving north in hopes of building new lives in northern cities.
Most African Americans lived as slaves during the colonial times in our history.
1. Slaves were forced to work for the people who owned them.
2. Most were not allowed to read or write.
3. They were not free.
4. Abolitionists felt slavery was wrong and tried to help slaves.
From 1861 to 1865 Northern and the Southern parts of the United States went to war against each other. That war was called the Civil War.
1. People from the south wanted to be separate from the north.
2. People of the north wanted both sides to stay together as one country.
3. During the war Abraham Lincoln ended slavery. Setting African Americans free.
Difficult Lives
After the Civil War African Americans lives in the south were difficult.
1. few chances for good jobs
2. little education
3. not treated fairly
The Great Migration began when African Americans heard there were good jobs and more opportunities in the north.
African Americans moved north to cities like Chicago, New York City, and Detroit looking for better lives.
Starting Over
Communities in the north grew creating more jobs.
1. work in iron and steel mills
2. built buildings
3. worked on the railroads
4. worked in factories
5. started their own businesses
Martin Luther King Jr.
African Americans continued to have difficulties in their lives.
1. faced unfair treatment
2. received less pay than whites for the same job
Martin Luther King Jr. was one leader who worked all of his life to help make sure all people were treated fairly.
Classroom Set Literature;
The Drinking Gourd
True Stories of Abraham Lincoln
Big Book/Martin Luther King Jr.