The Second Great Migration differed from the First Great Migration in several ways. One notable difference is that during the Second Great Migration, many more African Americans migrated to the West Coast.
During the First Great Migration (1910-1940), African Americans predominantly moved from the rural Southern United States to the urban Northeast and Midwest. This migration was largely driven by the search for job opportunities in industrial cities and escape from the oppressive Jim Crow laws prevalent in the South.
However, during the Second Great Migration (1940-1970), the pattern of migration expanded significantly. Not only were African Americans moving to the Northeast and Midwest, but a substantial number were also relocating to the West Coast. This shift can be attributed to the burgeoning defense and manufacturing industries on the West Coast, particularly during and after World War II, which created numerous job opportunities. Cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle saw significant increases in their African American populations.
