The Great Migration significantly impacted Northern cities in the U.S. during the early to mid-20th century as 6 million African Americans relocated from the rural South to urban areas in the North. This population shift occurred primarily between 1916 and 1970, driven by the search for better economic opportunities, escape from Jim Crow laws, and the quest for a more equitable life. Cities such as Chicago, Detroit, and New York saw dramatic demographic changes, leading to cultural developments, including the flourishing of the Harlem Renaissance. However, this migration also sparked racial tensions and competition for jobs and housing.