Goals: To understand the importance of the Harlem Renaissance to 1920s culture To understand how the Harlem Renaissance established a basis for the Civil Rights Movement

 African Americans in the North often found better work and conditions than in the South  Many worked as white-collar professionals and served as role models  Racism still followed, forcing many into low paying jobs and cheap housing  NYC’s Harlem became the focal point of change for African Americans

 Marcus Garvey immigrated to Harlem from Jamaica in 1916  He felt blacks EVERYWHERE were exploited  Promoted universal black nationalism and a “Back to Africa” movement  Garvey advocated a separation of the races  His United Negro Improvement Association boasted nearly 2.5 million members

 The UNIA proved to be a powerful organization in instilling black pride  The UNIA attempted to organize fully black industries  The Black Star line was an attempt to create an all black shipping fleet  Many of the UNIA’s ventures failed because of inept leaders and greed  Garvey was sent to federal prison for mail fraud (used the Postal Service to have money sent for members dues)

 Garvey’s ideas of black nationalism and separatism remained  Nation of Islam and the Black Power movement have their roots in Garvey’s ideas  Black pride, African American self-reliance, and cultural ties to Africa  “In a world where black is despised, he [Garvey] taught to admire and praise black things and black people.” -Amsterdam News

 Some argue that Jazz began in New Orleans, some in Chicago  Louis Armstrong became the unofficial ambassador of jazz, playing in N.O., Chicago, and NYC  Bessie Smith was known as the “Empress of the Blues” for her vocals  “Scat” became popular during the 1920s

 Jazz was a symbol of the Roaring 20s  St. Louis became a Jazz center as it was played in clubs and speakeasies alike  Albums and radio spread the influence of jazz  “America will be remembered for three contributions: the Constitution, baseball, and jazz.”  Jazz represented a blend of cultures and heritage

 Arguably the greatest of the jazz composers  He gained fame in Harlem nightclubs  Arranged music to showcase his band’s talents  Wrote about 2,000 pieces of music ranging from songs, ballets, and movie music  Awarded the highest civilian honors from both the U.S. and France (which loved jazz)

 A movement of African American writers, poets, and artists to establish a new culture  African Americans would no longer associate with the past (exploitation and discrimination)  Claude McKay wrote about the struggles for blacks as they search for dignity and advancement  McKay wrote of anger and militancy after race riots in Chicago

 If we must die – let it not be like hogs,  Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot.  While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs  Marking their mark at our accursed lot…  What though before us lies the open grave?  Like men we will face the murderous, cowardly pack  Pressed to the wall, dying but fight back!

 Most powerful literary voice of his time  He celebrated African American life and culture  Wrote over 50 works of fiction, poetry, journalism and criticism  “Literature is a big sea full of many fish. I let down my nets and pulled. I’m still pulling.”

 The movement altered the way many white Americans viewed African American culture  Changed the self-perception of many African Americans  The Harlem Renaissance ended with the financial collapse at the end of the 1920s  The African American solidarity created here would later be the bedrock of the Civil Rights Movement