The Other Great Migration: Puerto Ricans in New York
Three factors motivated Puerta Ricans to move to New York: the Great Depression, World War II, and advancements in air travel.
The Great Depression was felt in the United States and around the world. Puerto Rico was hit especially hard, because their economy was dependent on the United States. Unemployment in Puerto Rice rose just as it did in the US, and many families fled to the mainland United States in search of jobs.
The outbreak of World War II opened the doors to many of the migrants who were searching for jobs. Since a large portion of the American male population was sent to war, there was a sudden need of manpower to fulfill the jobs left behind. Puerto Ricans, both male and female, found themselves employed in factories and ship docks, producing regular and warfare goods.
The development of air travel provided Puerto Ricans with an affordable and faster way of travel to New York. The one thing that all of the migrants had in common was that they wanted a better way of life than was available in Puerto Rico. With air travel, they could easily travel to America and have a better life.
When Puerto Ricans arrived in New York City, they faced the same hardships and discriminations as other groups of immigrants like the Irish, Italians, and Jews. So, they tended to settle near other Puerto Ricans and form tight nit communities. These communities – which they called “Barrios” – were formed in The Bronx, East Harlem, and Brooklyn. They were rich in Puerto Rican culture. One example of a Puerto Rican neighborhood was East New York, where many Puerto Ricans settled. Most Puerto Ricans worked low-paying factory jobs as well as unskilled jobs like dish washing, maintenance, and laundry workers. Their barrios provided Puerto Ricans with the culture and traditions that helped them stay optimistic. They used Puerto Rican music, sports like boxing and baseball, and frequent social gatherings to help them through the hard times.
The Great Depression was felt in the United States and around the world. Puerto Rico was hit especially hard, because their economy was dependent on the United States. Unemployment in Puerto Rice rose just as it did in the US, and many families fled to the mainland United States in search of jobs.
The outbreak of World War II opened the doors to many of the migrants who were searching for jobs. Since a large portion of the American male population was sent to war, there was a sudden need of manpower to fulfill the jobs left behind. Puerto Ricans, both male and female, found themselves employed in factories and ship docks, producing regular and warfare goods.
The development of air travel provided Puerto Ricans with an affordable and faster way of travel to New York. The one thing that all of the migrants had in common was that they wanted a better way of life than was available in Puerto Rico. With air travel, they could easily travel to America and have a better life.
When Puerto Ricans arrived in New York City, they faced the same hardships and discriminations as other groups of immigrants like the Irish, Italians, and Jews. So, they tended to settle near other Puerto Ricans and form tight nit communities. These communities – which they called “Barrios” – were formed in The Bronx, East Harlem, and Brooklyn. They were rich in Puerto Rican culture. One example of a Puerto Rican neighborhood was East New York, where many Puerto Ricans settled. Most Puerto Ricans worked low-paying factory jobs as well as unskilled jobs like dish washing, maintenance, and laundry workers. Their barrios provided Puerto Ricans with the culture and traditions that helped them stay optimistic. They used Puerto Rican music, sports like boxing and baseball, and frequent social gatherings to help them through the hard times.