Harlem Renaissance

1. Harlem Renaissance

2. Harlem Renaissance- Roots • Literary and artistic movement celebrating black culture • Great Migration- As blacks move to urban areas. Many whites try to prevent blacks from moving into their city • Summer 1919 – 25 Race Riots • NAACP becomes active in ending violence against blacks- W.E.B. Dubois among the founders • Marcus Garvey- leads Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) • Black Nationalism- Back to Africa Movement

3. New York • Harlem as largest # of African Americans • Literature- Langston Hughes , Claude McKay, - Zora Neale Hurston- portrayed poor black lives • Paul Robeson plays in Othello (accused of being communist and passport is taken away) • Other Black plays such as Shuffle along and Hot chocolate

4. Art • Aaron Douglas- Used African sculptors and history as inspiration

5. Jazz • Developed in New Orleans in 1880’s mix of West African rhythm and African American Blues • Louis Armstrong- known as the single most important musician in the era. Known for trumpet and improvisation • Duke Ellington- became known as one of America’s greatest composers (mood Indigo, sophisticated lady) • Bessie Smith- 1927’s highest paid black singer- “Down hearted blues” sells 2 million copies • Cotton Club

6. Summary Questions • What was the Black Nationalist Organization founded by Marcus Garvey? • What was the Era that celebrated African American Culture in the 1920’s called? • What Association was founded by people like WEB Dubois? • Who became the highest paid black artist in the world? • Who broke color barriers by acting in Shakespeare’s Othello? • What writer focused on poor African American lives? • Considered to be Jazz’s greatest composer? • Considered one of Jazz’s most important musicians because of his great improvisation?