Negro Migration during the War

by Emmett J. (Emmett Jay) Scott

"Negro Migration during the War" by Emmett J. Scott is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The work documents the significant migration of African Americans from the Southern United States to the North during and after World War I, highlighting the complex socio-economic and political factors that prompted this movement. The book aims to provide a thorough analysis of this migration phenomenon and its implications on both the communities left behind and those to which the migrants moved. The opening of the book sets the stage by establishing the context and urgency of the migration during the war period. Scott reveals that over 400,000 African Americans relocated northward in a remarkably short time, reflecting historical patterns of migration dating back to previous decades. He discusses systemic oppression, economic hardship, and social injustices that fueled this exodus, articulating the desperation and determination of those who sought better opportunities and a reprieve from racial violence and socio-economic disenfranchisement in the South. Through detailed descriptions and accounts, the author presents a vivid picture of the conditions that prompted this significant demographic shift.