The Great Migration refers to the historical movement of African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West between approximately 1916 and 1970. This migration was driven by factors such as the search for better economic opportunities, the desire to escape Jim Crow laws, and the pervasive racial discrimination in the South. As millions migrated, they significantly influenced the cultural, social, and political landscape of cities like Chicago, Detroit, and New York. The Great Migration had lasting impacts on African American culture, including the Harlem Renaissance, and altered the demographic makeup of the United States.