1. AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE
Chapter 10 Section 5

2. AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE
THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
Main Idea
The Harlem Renaissance sparked new trends in literature, music and art.

3. THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
During World War I and 1920s hundreds of thousands of African American’s joined the “Great Migration”
By moving north, thought to escape segregation in South and build better lives
Though discrimination did still exist, much better opportunities than in the South
Moving to north also exposed to more culture, especially in Harlem neighborhood of New York City
Artistic development, racial pride and political organization grew… development of arts became known as “Harlem Renaissance”

4. THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
The Writers
“Claude McKay” was first important writer of Harlem Renaissance.
Translated American racism into a collection of Poems called Harlem Shadows
“Langston Hughes”: creative, original and versatile writer. Became a leading voice of African American experience in American

5. THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
“Zora Neale Hurston”: Another important author in Harlem Renaissance.
Books like Their Eyes Were Watching God gave spirited portrayals of rural African American culture and was the first time women were central characters
Other Authors
Countee Cullen, Alain Locke, Dorothy West and Nella Larsen

6. THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
Jazz, Blues and the Theater
Native of New Orleans, Louis Armstrong moved to Chicago in 1922 and introduced “jazz”
An improvisational style of music influenced by blues and ragtime
Three years later, Armstrong and group made recordings where Armstrong did highly imaginative solos
Became the first great cornet and trumpet soloist in jazz music
Artistic freedom of Chicago’s south side gave him courage to do these solos

7. THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
Edward “Duke” Ellington was also influenced by ragtime
1923 formed a band and played in speakeasies in New York…created own “jazz like” style
Examples: Mood Indigo, Sophisticated Lady
Composed 6,000 musical pieces
People like Ellington got start at “Cotton Club”
Most famous night club in Harlem
Bessie Smith symbolized soul music.
Sang “Blues”, soulful music that evolved from African American Spirituals

8. THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
Theater arts also flourished in the 1920s
Shuffle Along was first play written, produced and performed by African Americans (1921)
Launched careers of Florence mills and Paul Robeson
Robeson graduated from Rutgers with a law degree before focusing on acting
Was recognized for Emperor Jones and Show Boat
Also appeared at Apollo Theater in Harlem
Harlem Renaissance brought international fame to African American arts

9. AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE
AFRICAN AMERICANS AND 1920s POLITICS
Main Idea
While the NAACP pursued racial equality through the courts, black nationalists supported independence and separation from whites

10. AFRICAN AMERICANS AND 1920s POLITICS
The Black Vote in the North
World War I set stage for African Americans to reenter federal politics in United States (saw themselves as citizens)
The Great Migration had a big impact on political power of African Americans in the United states
Became powerful voting block that could sway the outcome of elections
In North, most African Americans voted for Republicans.
1928 African American voters in Chicago
voted as a bloc and helped elect Oscar DePriest
First African American representative in
Congress from a Northern state

11. AFRICAN AMERICANS AND 1920s POLITICS
The NAACP Battles Injustice
Battle often against segregation and discrimination but was often unsuccessful
Focused on lobbying public officials
Worked through the court system
NAACP also lobbied against lynching
Led to anti-lynching legislation in house but in 1922 was dismissed from Senate
Due to protests, kept in news and probably helped reduce number of lynching
Greatest political triumph occurred in 1930 with defeat of Judge John J. Parker’s nomination to Supreme Court
Showed that African American voters and lobby groups had enough influence to affect national politics

12. AFRICAN AMERICANS AND 1920s POLITICS
Black Nationalism and Marcus Garvey
Other groups began to emphasize black nationalism and black pride
Some called for separation from white society
“Marcus Garvey” black leader from Jamaica
Called for “negro nationalism” which glorified black culture and traditions
Inspired by Booker T Washington, Garvey formed Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)
FBI Saw as dangerous and movement did not have a lot of support
Committed Mail Fraud in 1923 and was deported to Jamaica

13. SUMMARY QUESTIONS
How did African Americans help shape the national identity through the use of music?
How did World War I change attitudes among African Americans toward themselves and their country?
What actions did the NAACP take to expand political fights for African Americans?