harlem renaissance
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Harlem Renaissance. 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. Migrants Face Changes and Challenges. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
HARLEM RENAISSANCE
Goals: To understand the importance of the Harlem
Renaissance to 1920s cultureTo understand how the Harlem Renaissance
established a basis for the Civil Rights Movement
MIGRANTS FACE CHANGES AND CHALLENGES 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 AND THE UNIA 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 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)
THE UNIA’S LASTING LEGACY 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
A UNIQUE AMERICAN MUSIC EMERGES 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 WINS WORLDWIDE POPULARITY 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
DUKE ELLINGTON 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)
AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE FLOWERS 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” BY CLAUDE MCKAY 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!
LANGSTON HUGHES 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.”
HARLEM RENAISSANCE AND ITS IMPACT 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