* Decline of Southern agriculture: The boll weevil infestation of the early 1900s devastated cotton crops across the South, leading to a decline in agricultural productivity and widespread economic distress.
* Industrialization of the North: The rapid industrialization of cities like Chicago, Detroit, New York, and Philadelphia in the early 1900s created jobs and opportunities for African Americans looking for better economic opportunities.
* Sharecropping system: Many African American farmers in the South were trapped in the exploitative sharecropping system, where they were bound to debt and land ownership was unattainable.
Pull Factors
* Labor demand: The labor shortage in the North, particularly in industries like steel, automotive, and manufacturing, attracted African American workers.
* Higher wages: The average wage for African American workers in the North was significantly higher than in the South, offering a financial incentive to migrate.
Discriminatory Conditions in the South
* Jim Crow laws: Segregation laws and discriminatory policies in the South, including disenfranchisement, limited educational opportunities, and racial violence, pushed many African Americans to seek better conditions elsewhere.
Influential Figures
* Booker T. Washington: Washington's philosophy of gradual improvement and vocational education encouraged African Americans to seek economic self-sufficiency and opportunities in urban centers.
* W.E.B. Du Bois: Du Bois' advocacy for civil rights, education, and social equality inspired many African Americans to challenge racial oppression.
Transportation Advancements
* Railroad expansion: The growth of the railroad network in the early 1900s made long-distance travel more accessible and affordable, facilitating migration.
Influx of European Immigrants
* The wave of European immigration also put pressure on jobs in the North, increasing competition and reinforcing existing racial stereotypes against African Americans.