Final answer:
The Great Migration refers to the mass movement of African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North between 1910 and 1930, seeking better economic opportunities and to escape Jim Crow laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The event of a significant number of African Americans moving from the South to the North is known as the Great Migration. This historical movement took place between 1910 and 1930, with 1.5 million African Americans leaving the oppressive conditions and lack of opportunities in the Southern states. The motivation for this migration was two-fold: the search for better economic prospects, particularly during the period of World War I when Northern factories were in need of labor, and the desire to escape the harsh Jim Crow segregation laws.
Large Northern cities such as Chicago, Detroit, and New York became major destinations for these migrants. The Great Migration greatly reshaped America's demographic landscape, concentrating large African American populations in urban areas, and had lasting impacts on social, political, and cultural life. This movement also contributed to racial tension, as African Americans started to compete with white Americans for jobs, leading to race riots in various cities.