A People on the Move | Great Migrations

Meet Robert S. Abbott, the founder of the Chicago Defender, a groundbreaking Black newspaper. Abbott used his platform to inspire and inform African Americans in the South, portraying Chicago as the “Promised Land”—a place of opportunity, freedom, and prosperity in contrast to the oppressive conditions of the Jim Crow South. The Chicago Defender not only advocated for migration to the North but also became a symbol of Black empowerment, offering a voice for resistance, progress, and the reimagining of African American life and identity. Through Abbott’s leadership, the newspaper helped shape the cultural, political, and social landscapes of Black communities, contributing significantly to the success of the Great Migration and the flourishing of Black urban culture.

In this lesson, students will contextualize the Great Migration (1910–1940) to better understand its importance and impact on Black Americans and the country. Students will discuss the concepts of resistance and cultural flourishing in the context of the Great Migration. Additionally, students will participate in historical research and presentation, as well as creative expression, to dive deeper into the challenges and triumphs of this historical moment.