Final answer:
The decision to migrate during the Great Migration was influenced by factors such as greater educational opportunities and personal freedoms in the urban non-South. Whether or not to return to the rural South depended on individual circumstances. Expectations of city living varied and the reality differed from person to person. Regret and challenges were possible outcomes, but migrants also found new opportunities in their new lives. Their stance on encouraging family to join them or stay in the rural South depended on their experiences and perspectives.
Step-by-step explanation:
Factors in the decision to migrate:
The decision to make the major move from the rural South to the urban non-South during the Great Migration was influenced by several factors. One important factor was the promise of greater educational opportunities in the North. State legislatures and local school districts allocated more funds for education in the North and enforced compulsory school attendance laws more rigorously than in the South. This was particularly appealing to African Americans who sought to escape the limited educational opportunities and racial segregation in the South. The availability of more expansive personal freedoms and the opportunity to live without deferring to every White person also played a role in the decision to migrate. In the North, African Americans enjoyed a degree of anonymity and personal freedom that was not possible in the racially segregated South.
Plans to return to rural South:
As for returning to their roots in the rural South, it would depend on the individual. Some migrants may have planned to return after achieving their goals, while others may have intended to stay permanently in the urban non-South. The decision would have been influenced by personal circumstances, opportunities, and the realities of city living.
Expectations and reality of city living:
The expectations of city living varied among migrants. Some may have anticipated better job opportunities, improved living conditions, and a more vibrant and diverse community. Others may have expected challenges such as crowded living conditions and competition for jobs. The reality of city living likely differed from individual to individual, depending on personal circumstances. While some may have found success and achieved their expectations, others may have faced difficulties and struggled to adapt to the urban environment.
Regret and challenges:
Regret for migrating would again depend on the individual. Some migrants may have regretted their decision due to the challenges they encountered in their new life. These challenges could include economic hardships, discrimination, finding affordable housing, and adapting to a new culture. However, others may have embraced the opportunities and experiences that migration brought, despite the challenges.
Opportunities and encouraging family:
In their new lives, migrants may have found new opportunities for employment, education, and personal growth. They may have discovered a sense of community and belonging in the urban non-South. Whether they encouraged their families to join them or urged them to stay in rural Southern society would depend on the individual's experiences and perspective. Some migrants may have wanted their families to join and benefit from the opportunities they found in the urban non-South, while others may have seen value in preserving their roots and traditions in the rural South.