Final answer:
The black population of Europe since the Roman Republic was concentrated predominantly in urban centers. In the United States, before the Civil War, African Americans in the South lived on farms or in cities, whereas post-Civil War, a significant number moved to urban areas in the North, leading to the development of African American communities and business districts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The black population of Europe since the time of the Roman Republic was concentrated primarily in urban centers. During this time, life in ancient Rome was centered around the capital city, with a large urban population requiring a constant supply of food and other resources. Cities like Rome, with their forums, temples, theaters, and other cultural venues, attracted a diverse population for both economic opportunities and cultural experiences.
In contrast, during the 19th and 20th centuries, the pattern of African American settlement in the United States varied between the North and South. Before the Civil War, most African Americans in the South lived on farms or plantations, with a substantial number also residing in urban areas such as Charleston, New Orleans, and Atlanta. After the Civil War, while many freed African Americans remained in rural areas as agricultural workers, there was also a significant migration to the North, where they primarily lived in urban centers. In Northern cities, African Americans competed for housing space near downtown with other minorities, including recent immigrants, contributing to the development of black-owned business districts and neighborhoods.