HARLEM RENAISSANCE

Goals:

To understand the importance of the Harlem Renaissance to 1920s culture

To understand how the Harlem Renaissance established a basis for the Civil Rights Movement

MIGRANTS FACE CHANGES AND CHALLENGES African Americans in the North often

found better work and conditions than in the South

Many worked as white-collar professionals and served as role models

Racism still followed, forcing many into low paying jobs and cheap housing

NYC’s Harlem became the focal point of change for African Americans

MARCUS GARVEY AND THE UNIA Marcus Garvey immigrated to Harlem

from Jamaica in 1916 He felt blacks EVERYWHERE were

exploited Promoted universal black nationalism

and a “Back to Africa” movement Garvey advocated a separation of the

races His United Negro Improvement

Association boasted nearly 2.5 million members

THE UNIA The UNIA proved to be a powerful

organization in instilling black pride The UNIA attempted to organize fully

black industries The Black Star line was an attempt to

create an all black shipping fleet Many of the UNIA’s ventures failed

because of inept leaders and greed Garvey was sent to federal prison for

mail fraud (used the Postal Service to have money sent for members dues)

THE UNIA’S LASTING LEGACY Garvey’s ideas of black nationalism and

separatism remained Nation of Islam and the Black Power

movement have their roots in Garvey’s ideas

Black pride, African American self-reliance, and cultural ties to Africa

“In a world where black is despised, he [Garvey] taught to admire and praise black things and black people.” -Amsterdam News

A UNIQUE AMERICAN MUSIC EMERGES Some argue that Jazz began in New

Orleans, some in Chicago Louis Armstrong became the unofficial

ambassador of jazz, playing in N.O., Chicago, and NYC

Bessie Smith was known as the “Empress of the Blues” for her vocals

“Scat” became popular during the 1920s

JAZZ WINS WORLDWIDE POPULARITY Jazz was a symbol of the Roaring 20s St. Louis became a Jazz center as it was

played in clubs and speakeasies alike Albums and radio spread the influence

of jazz “America will be remembered for three

contributions: the Constitution, baseball, and jazz.”

Jazz represented a blend of cultures and heritage

DUKE ELLINGTON Arguably the greatest of the jazz

composers He gained fame in Harlem nightclubs Arranged music to showcase his band’s

talents Wrote about 2,000 pieces of music

ranging from songs, ballets, and movie music

Awarded the highest civilian honors from both the U.S. and France (which loved jazz)

AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE FLOWERS A movement of African American

writers, poets, and artists to establish a new culture

African Americans would no longer associate with the past (exploitation and discrimination)

Claude McKay wrote about the struggles for blacks as they search for dignity and advancement

McKay wrote of anger and militancy after race riots in Chicago

“IF WE MUST DIE” BY CLAUDE MCKAY If we must die – let it not be like hogs, Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot. While round us bark the mad and hungry

dogs Marking their mark at our accursed lot… What though before us lies the open

grave? Like men we will face the murderous,

cowardly pack Pressed to the wall, dying but fight back!

LANGSTON HUGHES Most powerful literary voice of his time He celebrated African American life and

culture Wrote over 50 works of fiction, poetry,

journalism and criticism “Literature is a big sea full of many fish.

I let down my nets and pulled. I’m still pulling.”

HARLEM RENAISSANCE AND ITS IMPACT The movement altered the way many

white Americans viewed African American culture

Changed the self-perception of many African Americans

The Harlem Renaissance ended with the financial collapse at the end of the 1920s

The African American solidarity created here would later be the bedrock of the Civil Rights Movement