Final answer:
Many African Americans moved to cities such as New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia during the Great Migration to escape racial injustice and seek better job opportunities. This contributed to the cultural and economic transformation of urban America, despite the challenges they faced such as discrimination and racial tensions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Destinations During the Great Migration
During the Great Migration, many African Americans left the rural South in search of better opportunities and to escape racial injustice. Instead of heading to the West, the mass exodus primarily headed to cities in the Northeast and Upper Midwest. Significant urban destinations included New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Indianapolis. These cities offered new job prospects, particularly during World War I when there was a high demand for industrial labor. The migration led to demographic shifts that shaped the racial and cultural landscape of cities across the United States.
Legacy and Impact of the Great Migration
The Great Migration had a profound impact on the demographic, cultural, and economic aspects of urban America. With the influx of African Americans into northern cities, new cultural forms like Jazz flourished, especially in areas like Harlem. However, the migrants also faced significant discrimination and challenges, including competition for jobs and racial tensions resulting in urban unrest. The NAACP played a vital role during this period, embarking on an anti-lynching campaign and fighting for African Americans' civil rights through the legal system.