CHAPTER 10, SECTION 5

1920s African American Culture

The Harlem Renaissance

Big Ideas:

The relative freedom discovered by African Americans who moved to the North from the South, brought about a new sense of liberty that was reflected in black urban communities such as Harlem.

The Harlem Renaissance sparked new trends in literature, music, and art.

The Harlem Renaissance

During the 1920s, thousands of African Americans joined the Great Migration out of the South and into cities in the North.

In the North, they found new freedoms and economic opportunities that helped them create a better life for themselves and their families.

The Harlem Renaissance

Many African Americans traveled to New York City and settled in the borough of Harlem.

In Harlem artistic expression, racial pride, and political organization thrived in an era known as the Harlem Renaissance.

The Harlem Renaissance

In Harlem, African American writers, such as Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, and Zora Neale Hurston, were free to express their defiance of racism.

The Harlem Renaissance

African Americans also contributed to the city’s night-life with a new type of music, jazz.

The Cotton Club was the premier nightclub in Harlem that featured many famous black entertainers such as Duke Ellington.

However, the club only served white customers.

African Americans & 1920s Politics

Big Ideas:

The NAACP pursued racial equality through the courts while black nationalists supported independence and separation from white society.

African Americans & 1920s Politics

The Black Vote in the North:

As African Americans began to settle in northern cities where they were free to vote, they became a powerful voting bloc that could sway election results.

Voting gave them a voice, and politicians had to start listening.

African Americans & 1920s Politics

The NAACP lobbied and protested against lynching and were successful in getting anti-lynching laws passed in 1922.

The NAACP was also successful in defeating the nomination to the Supreme Court of a southern judge who was believed to be racist.

African Americans & 1920s Politics

Black Nationalism & Marcus Garvey

Marcus Garvey captured the imagination of the black community with his idea of “Negro Nationalism,” which glorified black culture and traditions.

African Americans & 1920s Politics

Garvey’s central message was that African Americans could only gain political and economic freedom through education.

He also advocated separating from white America by creating a new society in Africa.

African Americans & 1920s Politics

Garvey’s message was seen as too radical by many middle-class African Americans.

The FBI was worried that Garvey’s group, the UNIA, was stirring up trouble, arrested Garvey and supporters on charges of mail fraud.

The charges were politically motivated and President Coolidge commuted Garvey’s sentence and had him deported to Jamaica.

Statue of Garvey in Jamaica