Topic 14 The 1920s

What was the Ku Klux Klan like in the 1920s, and how was it different from the Reconstruction-era KKK?

Ku Klux Klan (KKK)

History teacher in Stone Mountain Georgia, William J History teacher in Stone Mountain Georgia, William J. Simmons, revived the famous Reconstruction-era group in 1915, but it remained poorly organized

In 1920 Edward Y. Clarke and Elizabeth Tyler joined Simmons’ organization and organized it well. They raised dues, conducted door-to-door campaigns, and held regular meetings. Membership soared throughout the South

In 1922 Texas dentist Hiram W In 1922 Texas dentist Hiram W. Evans took over the leadership of the KKK. He completely changed the nature of the organization, and in doing so greatly expanded it.

KKK now saw itself as a pro-American, Christian, and family organization. It depicted all non-white Protestants as anti-American and a threat to the nation. This included not only Africa-Americans, but immigrants, Jews, and Catholics. In doing so the new KKK tried to appeal to all areas of America, not just the South Note: Wisconsin Note: Flag Day Note: Music, dancing, public invited

KKK seen by many as patriotic, the decedents of the real, original Americans and upholders of all that made the country great. Others did not understand America

The KKK provided many who felt left behind in the changing America a sense of importance, belonging, and direction (ex: “Exalted Knight”, “Grand Klavern”, etc.)

The Klan’s growth nationally paralleled an increase in lynchings, kidnappings, and floggings nationally

When Oklahoma Governor J. C When Oklahoma Governor J.C. Walton put his state under marshal law in 1923 to combat the popularity of the KKK, he was impeached.

In 1925 the pro-Klan governor Ed Jackson was elected in Indiana

The Klan became hugely popular in the 1920s, reaching its all-time peak in membership and political power

Who was Marcus Garvey and what did he advocate Who was Marcus Garvey and what did he advocate? What became of his effort?

NAACP membership grew, but its efforts to pass a federal anti-lynching law failed.

Marcus Garvey

Garvey founded the United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), whose goals were part of a “pan-African movement uniting blacks

Garvey declared himself president of the “Empire of Africa” and promised to unite Africa militarily if necessary

What success did African-Americans have economically?

Ford was one of the first companies to integrate its assembly-line auto workers

In general terms, what was the Harlem Renaissance, and why did it take place?

Harlem in northern Manhattan

What music and musicians characterized the Harlem Renaissance?

Cotton Club

Duke Ellington

Louis Armstrong (“Satchmo”)

Cab Calloway

Ferdinand “Jelly Roll” Morton

Robert Johnson helped pioneer the “Blues” from Mississippi

Bessie Smith sang the “Blues”

Billie Holiday

Thomas A. Dorsey helped popularize gospel

What literature and writers characterized the Harlem Renaissance?

As shown in this recent encyclopedia of Harlem Renaissance writers, a number of talented writers both explored the Black condition and sought to win support for their race

James Weldon Johnson

Claude McKay

Jean Toomer

Langston Hughes

Zora Neale Hurston

What other forms of artistic achievement existed in the Harlem Renaissance?

Henry Ossawa Tanner

Tanner Painting

Tanner Painting