The Exoduster Movement

What was the Exoduster Movement?

After the abolition of slavery, following the Civil War, many African Americans chose to move westwards to seek a new life. They moved to areas such as Kansas, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri.

Who started the Exoduster Movement?

Benjamin Singleton is credited with starting the movement.

When was the Exoduster Movement?

The movement started in 1873 and became large scale by 1879.

How many emigrated during the Exoduster Movement?

40,000 black settlers had moved by the end of 1879.

Why did the Exoduster Movement happen?

There were several reasons for this mass migration of black settlers:

• ❖ Benjamin Singleton, who settled in Kansas in 1873, promoted the idea through newspapers and at meetings that others should follow him.
• ❖ Henry Adams also promoted the idea of black migration for a new life. He also promoted the idea of migration to Liberia.
• ❖ Many black Americans trusted the word of God, and believed God would provide for them.
• ❖ The Homesteader Act made it possible for many poor people to make a new start.
• ❖ Kansas was a 'free state' by 1861, which meant it was free of slavery. This made it very appealing.
• ❖ After the Civil War, freed slaves wanted new jobs and a better way of life, wherever they could find it.

What was the impact of the Exoduster Movement?

The exodus of so many people had a number of results:

• ❖ New settlements were founded, such as Nicodemus in Kansas. By 1880, more than 43,000 African Americans had settled in Kansas.
• ❖ Much of the available land was difficult to farm.
• ❖ Many of the black settlers could not afford the administration fees needed to gain land through the Homesteaders Act.
• ❖ Many white Americans opposed the migration and believed the black settlers should not be helped. Many felt they should be sent back to the southern states.
• ❖ By the end of the 1880s many of the settlers were better prepared for migration, so a lot of the earlier issues resolved themselves. However, black settlers in Kansas did remain poorer than white ones.
• ❖ The movement triggered similar movements of black settlers to other areas, such as Nebraska and Oklahoma.