The Harlem Renaissance 1920s1930s What is the Harlem

The Harlem Renaissance 1920’s-1930’s

What is the Harlem Renaissance? • The African American cultural movement of the 1920’s and early 1930’s that was centered in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. • Started after WWI in 1918 and faded during the mid 1930’s.

What is the Harlem Renaissance? • The Harlem Renaissance was the first time that mainstream publishers and critics took African American literature seriously. • African American literature and arts attracted attention from the whole nation. • Included: Literature, theater, art, music, and politics.

What caused the movement? • A black middle class was developing during the turn of the century, due to an increase in education and employment opportunities. • Great Migration- Hundreds of thousands of African Americans moved from the South to the industrial cities of the North to find jobs. • As more educated and employed African Americans settled in Harlem, NY it became the cultural center of black America.

What caused the movement? • A new political idea that advocated racial equality became more popular among African Americans. • Those that supported racial equality included: – W. E. B. Du Bois – NAACP (National Association for the advancement of colored people. ) W. E. B. Du Bois

Harlem Night Life Bessie Smith Cotton Club, “Home of Jazz” Harlem Dancers “Jelly Roll” Morton

Common themes of the Harlem Renaissance • Interest in the roots of the 20 th Century African American experience in both Africa and the South • A strong sense of racial pride and desire for social and political equality. • The diversity of expression through poetry, art, music, and theater.

The end of the Harlem Renaissance • The Great Depression during the 1930’s increased the economic pressures in all aspects of life. • Many of the influential writers left Harlem in the early 1930’s. • A riot in Harlem (1935) – Economic hardships – Tension between the black community and white shop owners in Harlem

The Harlem Renaissance • The Harlem Renaissance inspired many African American writers. • Effected countries outside of the United States. Many writers and dancers traveled to Europe. • They gained popularity equal or greater than in the United States.