Harlem Renaissance

Why did African Americans move north in the 1900’s?

Great Migration Southern life was violent, segregated, and unfair World War I opened industrial jobs for African Americans Relocation of African Americans to the North

Was the North the answer? Found many jobs and opportunities Racial tensions were somewhat strong in the North – Why? Chicago, Illinois 1919 dispute at public beach left 38 dead and 300 injured

Life in Harlem 1920s about 200,000 African Americans lived in Harlem Became unofficial capital of African American culture and activism in the U.S.

Editor of The Crisis – helped promote arts movement in New York W.E.B. Dubois Well-educated Founded NAACP Editor of The Crisis – helped promote arts movement in New York Arts movement became known as the Harlem Renaissance

Marcus Garvey Jamaican leader who promoted self reliance for African Americans Black Star Line – promoted trade Imprisoned 1925-1927 for mail fraud - deported “Back to Africa” movement

Performers and Musicians Created new opportunities for African American stage performers

Paul Robeson Originally practiced law in NY Performed in musicals and stage productions including Othello Shuffle Along - all black musical

Louis Armstrong Jazz- a blend of several different musicals forms in the Lower South Leader performer at Savoy Ballroom and the Cotton Club Jazz is not limited to Harlem “Satchmo”

Langston Hughes Wrote of black defiance, but also wrote of hope Works recorded the culture of Harlem in the 1920s