A Century of Negro Migration by Carter Godwin Woodson

Description

A Century of Negro Migration is a book by Carter Godwin Woodson, first published in 1918. It offers a clear, carefully documented account of one of the most significant population movements in American history: the migration of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North. Woodson, often regarded as the “Father of Black History,” brings the same disciplined historical method to this study that shaped his wider contribution to early African American scholarship. The book traces the circumstances that set this vast migration in motion—economic pressures, racial violence, declining agricultural prospects, and the search for new opportunities. Woodson examines the decisions of families and individuals who, under difficult and often dangerous conditions, chose to uproot themselves in pursuit of security, dignity, and a fair chance at work and education. His respect for the personal agency of migrants stands at the centre of the narrative, giving the work a grounded, human quality. The study also follows the effects of the migration on Northern cities, exploring the growth of new Black communities, the tensions they faced, and the changing social and labour landscapes. Woodson’s analysis helps readers understand how this movement reshaped American society long before it was widely recognised by mainstream historians. Today, the narrative remains relevant not only for students of African American history but also for readers who want a deeper understanding of the roots of modern urban life and demographic change.

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