5.1.1
Migration Back to the South in the 20th Century
Migration Back to the South in the 20th Century
Migration Back to the South in the 20th Century
From the 1970s black people started to migrate back to the South.
The states that black people migrated to included Florida, Georgia and Texas. Northern states such as LA, Chicago and New York experienced emigration of black people.
Quality of life
Quality of life
- Many black people moved out of the South during the Great Migration in search of a better life but in reality, many ended up living in impoverished ghettos that had poor quality schools, housing and high crime rates.
- After the Civil Rights Act 1964 and the Voting Act 1965 many black people believed that there was a ‘New South’ where they would face less racism and a better quality of life.
Perception of change in the South
Perception of change in the South
- An example of this was the desegregation of schools.
- Under the Presidency of Richard Nixon (1969-1974) 60% of Southern schools became desegregated which meant that black children had the potential to receive a better standard of education.
- Unfortunately, Southern schools slowly began to re-segregate schools after 1988.
The 'rust belt'
The 'rust belt'
- Many black people believed that there were greater job prospects in the South.
- During the ‘Great Migration,’ many black people moved to the North to see jobs in factories in big cities such as Detroit.
- However, in the 20th Century these factories starting to decay as did the industries that they housed.
- The number of manufacturing firms in Detroit from 1947 to 1977 almost halved. The term ‘rust belt’ was coined to describe this decaying industry.
The 'sun belt'
The 'sun belt'
- This was not the case in the South, which actually saw a rise in the number of companies located there.
- In fact, many companies thought it better to invest in the South as it was cheaper to buy land, cheaper for tax and there were lighter regulations surrounding manufacturing.
- The South became known as the ‘sun belt’.
Cost of living
Cost of living
- The fact that land was cheaper meant that more black people could migrate to the South and afford to buy family houses there.
- Houses were on average $100,000 cheaper in the South than the North.
- The cost of living was also lower in the South.
- For example, food and utilities cost the average family less in the South than in the North.
Migration Back to the South in the 20th Century
Migration Back to the South in the 20th Century
From the 1970s black people started to migrate back to the South.
The states that black people migrated to included Florida, Georgia and Texas. Northern states such as LA, Chicago and New York experienced emigration of black people.
A place to 'call home'
A place to 'call home'
- A major ‘pull’ factor for black people to migrate to the South was that they wanted a place to call home.
- When many black people left the South during the Great Migration, they took with them their culture and traditions.
- They wanted a place where they could go that reflected their culture and traditions. For many, this was the South.
Family members
Family members
- Many black people had long-standing family connections and history in the South that they were keen to return to.
- In a 1973 survey of motivations for black people migrating South, the main reason given was that they wanted to be nearer family members.
1‘Free at Last’ 1865-77
1.1The Thirteenth Amendment
1.2Radical Reconstruction, 1867-77
2The Triumph of ‘Jim Crow’ 1883-c1890
2.1Jim Crow Laws & Civil Rights Cases
3The New Deal and Race Relations, 1933–41
3.1Failure to Address Black Grievances
3.2The New Deal
3.3The Second World War
4‘I have a dream’, 1954–68
4.1Civil Rights Activities, 1954–63
4.2Civil Rights 1964-68
4.3Malcolm X & The Black Panthers
5Obama's Campaign for the Presidency, 2004–09
5.1The Late 20th Century
5.2Barack Obama & his Political Career
5.3Reasons for Obama's Victory
Jump to other topics
1‘Free at Last’ 1865-77
1.1The Thirteenth Amendment
1.2Radical Reconstruction, 1867-77
2The Triumph of ‘Jim Crow’ 1883-c1890
2.1Jim Crow Laws & Civil Rights Cases
3The New Deal and Race Relations, 1933–41
3.1Failure to Address Black Grievances
3.2The New Deal
3.3The Second World War
4‘I have a dream’, 1954–68
4.1Civil Rights Activities, 1954–63
4.2Civil Rights 1964-68
4.3Malcolm X & The Black Panthers
5Obama's Campaign for the Presidency, 2004–09
5.1The Late 20th Century
5.2Barack Obama & his Political Career
5.3Reasons for Obama's Victory
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