What was the term used for the movement of over 300,000 African Americans from the rural South to Northern cities between 1914 and 1920?

Prepare for the AMSCO AP United States History Exam's Period 7. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get exam-ready!

The term for the movement of over 300,000 African Americans from the rural South to Northern cities between 1914 and 1920 is known as the Great Migration. This significant demographic shift was driven by various factors, primarily the search for better economic opportunities and the desire to escape the oppressive conditions of the Jim Crow South. Many African Americans were drawn to industrial jobs in Northern cities due to the labor shortages created by World War I, as well as the hope for a better and more equitable life. Consequently, this movement not only reshaped the demographics of the United States but also had lasting cultural and social impacts, laying the groundwork for significant developments in African American culture and civil rights in the decades that followed.

The other terms do not accurately describe this particular historical event. The Harlem Renaissance specifically refers to a cultural and artistic movement in the 1920s, while the Civil Rights Movement pertains to the struggles for racial equality that gained momentum in the mid-20th century. The term Southern Exodus is less commonly used and does not carry the same historical weight as the Great Migration.

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