The Harlem Renaissance by Parker J. E. Carte

Harlem, New York

. What was the Harlem Renaissance? Many blacks moved to Harlem in the 1910s, 1920s and 1930s because there was a lot of work Cultural Movement Spanned the 1920s and 1930s Called the “New Negro Movement” at the time Centered in the Harlem Neighborhood of New York City Many French-speaking black writers from Africa and Carribean colonies were influenced by it Historians disagree when the Harlem Renaissance started and ended Many of the ideas lived on past the 1930s The flowering of artistic and critical work is known as the “Harlem Renaissance” Continues to greatly influence American and World cultures today Writers, thinkers and artists contributed greatly to American culture during this time

Most African Americans stayed in the Southern States after the Civil War. Although there were many reasons for African Americans to want to leave the South, there were very few economic reasons for them to move North. Once World War I broke out, this situation changed for several reasons: * A lot of the existing labor left the work force * The immigrant labor pool disappeared * The War generated new opportunities for industry So what was the ultimate result of all of this? The Great Migration took place! African Americans began to move to northern cities such as New York and Chicago in bigger numbers than ever! In New York City, most of them ended up living in Harlem on the upper west side of New York City.

What Were Some Important Places? Where could people go to experience the cultural scene? Harlem had many grand dance halls such as the Savoy Ballroom. Harlem had many grand theaters such as the Apollo Theater. People visited places like this to hear the latest music.

The Savoy Ballroom 1920s to 1950s One of Harlem’s hottest dance places Stretched more than one whole block It often had 2 different bands playing Many legends performed there Duke Ellington Cab Calloway Chick Webb

The Apollo Theater: Played an important role in Harlem’s cultural life Weekly contests showcased many talents Every major African American performer played there at least once. It may have opened and closed many times, but it has remained open since 1985.

The Dark Tower A’Lelia Walker used her money to help Harlem’s cultural life She invited black and white artists and writers to her home Her parties sparked many interesting debates She nicknamed her home “The Dark Tower” It was named after a poet’s column that appeared in an African American magazine

Music of the Harlem Renaissance It is popular for the music it produced The best Big-band musicians in the world played here Many famous jazz and blues singers got their starts here Ella Fitzgerald Billie Holiday

Writers African-American newspapers and magazines promoted Harlem’s culture Writing contests were held Much of the writing of the period shows the tensions between black traditions and mainstream society

Famous Writers Arna Bontemps Sterling Brown Charles W. Chestnutt Countee Cullen Jessie Redmon Fauset Rudolph Fisher Langston Hughes Zora Neal Hurston James Weldon Johnson Nella Larson Claude McKay Richard Wright

Charles W. Chestnutt He was a writer of mixed-race One of the first to write about racial themes He only lived in Harlem a short time, but he had great influence on the HR

Claude McKay America Although she feeds me bread of bitterness, And sinks into my throat her tiger’s tooth, Stealing my breath of life, I will confess I love this cultured hell that tests my youth!

Langston Hughes He was a poet in the 1920s He explored race and social justice He broke from poetry traditions in his work

Zora Neal Hurston The most she ever made from selling one of her books was $

Famous Artists John Henry Adams Charles Alston Henry Bannarn Edward Burra Aaron Douglas Palmer Hayden Paul Heath Jacob Lawrence Archibald Motley Lois Mailou Jones Laura Wheeling Waring Hale Woodruff

Palmer Hayden “The Janitor Who Paints”

Edward Burra

Jacob Lawrence

Sources Biography.com Brain POP Google World Book Encyclopedia

Hope You Enjoyed the Slide Show! Pictures by Parker J. E. Carte Information by Parker J. E. Carte Background by Parker J. E. Carte