An American Struggle for Harmony Copyright 2012 New Dimension Media Blues In Celebration of Black American History Month Gospel Slave Songs JazzRock
Teacher Notes: This lesson is inspired by the book, I See the Rhythm by Michele Wood and Toyomi Igus. A beautifully written and illustrated timeline of African American music over the past 500 years. Important American history events are interwoven throughout putting the musical eras into context. Follow the timeline and view video that bring music and history together in celebration of American Black History Month. There are many more CCC! programs that you could include in this lesson. Simply use CCC! Hyperlinks to continue to create this celebration presentation. Copyright 2012 New Dimension Media To purchase this book, search for: ISBN #
Origins Griots (storytellers) and priests used music to teach lessons, talk about history and call on the gods. Early 1500s Slaves are sold to New World. Early 1619 First enslaved Africans arrive in Virginia Queen Nzinga of Angola leads against Portuguese slave traders. 1740s Laws are passed in American Colonies to keep slaves from communicating using drums. Click on the background to launch video. Historical Timeline Copyright 2012 New Dimension Media
Slavery Songs Click on the background to launch video. Slaves sang religious songs to give them hope that better days would come. Quilts were used to communicate to run away slaves Congress adopts Declaration of Independence. It did not free blacks from slavery Nat Turner leads the most famous slave revolt in U.S. History Harriet Tubman begins helping slaves escape on the Underground Railroad The Civil War begins The Fugitive Slave Act is passed. It is now illegal to give shelter to runaway slaves. Historical Timeline Copyright 2012 New Dimension Media
The Beginning of Blues Click on the background to launch video Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation. Slaves are now free but not equal The Civil War Ends 1872 The Risk Jubilee Singers go on tour. 1890s Attacks and lynchings result in many blacks and white supporters killed The first blues song is published “Memphis Blues” by W.C. Handy. Historical Timeline Copyright 2012 New Dimension Media
Ragtime Click on the background to launch video Scott Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag” becomes a hit. Historical Timeline 1909 The NAACP is formed The Great Migration. Southern black move North for a better life. Copyright 2012 New Dimension Media
JAZZ 1901 Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong is born in New Orleans WWI – almost 400,000 black men serve in the armed forces. Historical Timeline Click on the Savoy to launch video. 1917: Black Pride Martin Garvey begins chapter of Universal Negro Improvement Assoc. Copyright 2012 New Dimension Media
Click on the background to launch video Edward Kennedy Ellington (Duke) is born. Historical Timeline Swing Sounds s The Harlem Renaissance: African Americans are widely recognized for their great writers, artists and musicians Ella Fitzgerald joins Chick Webb’s band at age 17. Copyright 2012 New Dimension Media
Be Bop Click on the background to launch video. Historical Timeline Over 1 million black men serve in segregated armed services Under pressure, President Truman desegregates the armed forces Dizzie Gillespie is sent around the world by U.S. State Dept. as the Ambassador of Jazz. Copyright 2012 New Dimension Media
Gospel Click on the Gospel Choir to launch video. Historical Timeline 1955 Rosa Parks takes her rightful seat on the bus Mahalia Jackson records “Move On Up a Little Higher” which sells 1 million copies Landmark Case: Brown versus Board of Education Copyright 2012 New Dimension Media
Rhythm and Blues 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. delivers famous speech, “I’ve Got a Dream.” 1961 Barry Gordy forms Motown Recording Studio 1964 President Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act outlawing discrimination in housing, employment and education Malcolm X is assassinated Aretha Franklin records “RESPECT.” Historical Timeline Click here Copyright 2012 New Dimension Media
Black Rock and Roll Historical Timeline 1955 Chuck Berry records his first big hit Little Richard records a string of hits and becomes known as the King of Rock ‘n Roll Dr. Martin Luther King is assassinated U.S. puts first man on the moon. Copyright 2012 New Dimension Media
An American Struggle for Harmony Copyright 2012 New Dimension Media Blues In Celebration of Black American History Month Gospel Slave Songs JazzRock