American Epistles

In many ways, the North delivered on its promise.  The migrants enjoyed higher wages, better education for their children, and the opportunity to participate in the political process.  And they no longer had to behave in a subservient manner to white people. However, the migrants clashed culturally with the blacks who had preceded them. There were also violent clashes with whites.

This is the second episode of a three-part series discussing the Great Migration, during which millions of African Americans left the South for a better life. WWI, and the ensuring labor shortage, opened the door to the North.

This is the second episode of a three-part series discussing the Great Migration, during which millions of African Americans left the South for a better life. WWI, and the ensuring labor shortage, opened the door to the North.

In this first episode of a three-part series on the Great Migration, we will see what changed--and what didn't change--for African Americans in the South after the Civil War.

In this first episode of a three-part series on the Great Migration, we will see what changed--and what didn't change--for African Americans in the South after the Civil War.

American Epistles explores our history through the letters, journals, and diaries of "ordinary" Americans. Each episode focuses on a different time period or event, and features the words of some Americans who lived through it.