As the century progressed, the situation of free African Americans improved in some ways. They gained more legal rights, and some even achieved prominence in politics, education, and the arts. However, they continued to face discrimination and segregation in housing, employment, and education.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the migration of African Americans from the South to the North increased dramatically. This migration was due to a number of factors, including the boll weevil infestation, which devastated the cotton crop in the South, and the rise of Jim Crow laws, which made life difficult for African Americans in the South.
The Great Migration had a profound impact on the lives of free African Americans in the North. It led to the growth of African American communities in cities such as New York, Chicago, and Detroit. These communities provided African Americans with a sense of community and support, and they also helped to create new opportunities for economic and political advancement.
However, the Great Migration also brought new challenges for African Americans in the North. They faced discrimination and segregation in housing, employment, and education. They were also often subjected to violence and harassment.
Despite these challenges, free African Americans in the North made significant progress during the 19th and 20th centuries. They gained legal rights, achieved economic success, and contributed to American society in many ways. They also played a vital role in the civil rights movement, which led to the end of Jim Crow laws and the passage of civil rights legislation.