The distinctive intraregional migration pattern of African Americans in the latter half of the 20th century is often referred to as the "Great Migration." This term refers to the large-scale movement of African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North, Midwest, and West during the period from approximately 1916 to 1970.
The Great Migration was driven by a variety of factors, including economic opportunities, social and political changes, and racial violence and discrimination. African Americans who migrated during this time period often sought better job prospects, higher wages, and greater social and political freedoms in the North and West. Many also left the South to escape segregation, lynchings, and other forms of racial violence.
The Great Migration had a significant impact on African American communities, as well as on the broader demographic and cultural landscape of the United States. It helped to create and sustain large, vibrant African American communities in major cities across the country, and it contributed to the development of a distinctive African American culture and identity. It also played a key role in shaping the political and social landscape of the United States, as African Americans who migrated during this time period helped to fuel the Civil Rights movement and played a central role in the struggle for racial equality and social justice.