African American Migration Facts

Where did they come from?

• The first people of African descent reached California before it was United States territory. They came from Central Mexico with Spanish and Mexican colonists. They had been transported to Mexico as slaves for the Spanish colonies.

• Some African Americans came from the East Coast with their masters in caravans going west.

• During World War Two many African Americans came from the East Coast and Midwest to California.
  
  

Reasons for Migrating

• Most of the early African Americans were taken to the west by masters who were looking for new opportunities. During the gold rush, many African Americans were able to buy their freedom and start lives of their own with their families.

• During World War Two most of the African Americans who came to California were looking for good paying jobs in the defense industry and freedom from the racism and violence of the South.
  
  

Where did they settle?

• The early migrants settled with their masters in colonies and towns.

• During World War Two many African Americans settled near the shipyards and aircraft factories along the Pacific Coast. Some of the larger factories were in Portland, Oregon; Los Angeles, Oakland, and Richmond, California.
  
  

What happened as a result of their arrival?

• Some slaves were able to raise enough money to buy their freedom.

• As they moved to Northern California for jobs during WWII many communities in the Bay Area began to form around factories, like in Richmond, CA. 
  
  

For More Information Visit This Website:

http://www.inmotionaame.org/migrations/topic.cfm?migration=6&topic=9