Racial Issues in the 1920’s 13.3

800,000 African Americans migrated north to join the many who did during WWI More factory jobs in Northern cities Large black communities develop in: -Chicago – New York City – Detroit – Other Northern cities

The Great Migration Wanted better economic opportunities and less discrimination Situation better but not perfect Blacks first to lose jobs during early 1920s recession Violence – race riots – racial tension still existed even in North 1919-Red Summer. Race riots in Chicago, Washington DC, Elaine, Arkansas. Triggered by demobilization and scarcity of jobs. Whites targeted black and in the instances above, Blacks fought back.

Harlem Renaissance A cultural movement that embraced expression and equality for African-Americans Centered in Harlem, NY-fashion, entertainment, nightlife Mecca of “The New Negro” Also influential to Blacks in Paris, Africa, and the Caribbean

Harlem Renaissance “The New Negro Movement” Betterment of self, escape segregation and economic depravation Emphasized racial pride, equality Challenged racism, stereotypes Promoted progressivism, socialism, and integration A freedom of expression

Themes and characteristics Sociological development, intellectualism Folk traditions Modern Black life Show humanity Modernism vs. Jazz

Music Jazz and Blues: emotional, social, innovation Duke Ellington-The Cotton Club Louis Armstrong, Billie Holliday

Art Visual, photography, painting, drawing, acting Reality brought to life Past experiences Ambitions, dreams, goals Paintings by Archibald John Motley, black and white by Aaron Douglas “Play da Blues”

Literary Poets, playwrights, novelists, essayists. New styles Inspire, influence, Express, progress New styles Imitations of classic style Publication Langston Hughes, Review of Jessie Redmon Fauset’s book in 1924

Intellectual W.E.B. Dubois Marcus Garvey Sociologist, writer NAACP founder; The Crisis Marcus Garvey Pan-Africanism-Unite all Africans Black Nationalism-independent nation for all Blacks in Africa UNIA (Universal Negro Improvement Association) “Back to Africa”

Why The Arts and Literature? Saw them as an agent of change Means of expression and self-determination Way to inspire and connect Open doors for new opportunities This was the site of A’Lelia Walker’s (1885-1931) home and famous salon, “The Dark Tower,” which she hosted for writers, musicians, and other artists during the 1920s. It was named after a sonnet by queer poet Countee Cullen, which has been said to capture the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance.

Impact New identity for Blacks-from rural/ undereducated to urban/sophisticated Players on the world stage Self-determination Set the stage for Civil Rights Movement Inspiration for people worldwide Movement towards integration

The Return of the Ku Klux Klan

Reestablishment of the Klan 1st Klan – 1865 - 1870 Reestablished in 1915 William Joseph Simmons – Preacher Brought the Klan back at Stone Mountain, GA

William Joseph Simmons reestablishes the clan in 1915

Carving of Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis Carving of Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis. 1,686 feet high. Carving is 3 acres in size, begun in 1916 but not finished until 1972

Why did the Klan come back? Racism, industrialization, migration, immigration Targeted African Americans, Catholics, Jews, and radicals like Communists Staged mass rallies, kidnappings, beatings, and lynching's

Lynching A form of violence, usually execution, outside the law to terrorize and intimidate a group of people

The Fall of the Klan Rapid Rise – Early 1920s Assisted by film Birth of a Nation 6 million members in 1924 Rapid Decline – Late 1920s 30,000 members in 1930 Today – 6,000 members

Fall of the Klan Decline Due To: -Negative publicity -D.C. Stevenson Rape Case -Publicity of Klan violence -Some law enforcement crackdowns -Internal Klan corruption