Harlem Renaissance Presentation Notes

Introduction

• Focus on the Harlem Renaissance: a celebration of Black American culture and arts.
• Harlem Renaissance: Development of Harlem, NYC, as a cultural Mecca in early 20th century.
• Period: 1910s to mid-1930s.
• Significance: Golden age for African-American culture in literature, music, stage performance, and art.

The Great Migration

1. Southern Black Americans Move North

   • Post-Civil War (1865): African-Americans sought political empowerment and economic opportunities.
   • By late 1870s, Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation in the South.
   • Many African-Americans moved North for better opportunities and more racial tolerance.

2. The Great Migration (1910-1920)

   • Over 300,000 Black Americans relocated due to suppression and natural disasters.
   • Recruiters encouraged migration to northern urban centers.
   • Harlem became a popular destination for these migrants.

Harlem as a Cultural Hub

3. Attraction of Minds and Talents

   • Harlem housed 175,000 African-Americans, the largest concentration globally.
   • Became a hub for artists and scholars, leading to cultural blossoming.

4. Catalyst for Artistic Experimentation

   • Symbolic capital of cultural awakening.
   • Diverse social world fostering cultural experimentation.

5. Coining of Negro Renaissance

   • Term by Alain Locke, a Harvard-educated critic.
   • Emphasized cultural pluralism and breaking stereotypes.

Prominent Figures and Contributions

6. Key Contributors
   • Intellectuals: W.E.B. Du Bois, Marcus Garvey.
   • Performers: Josephine Baker, Paul Robeson.
   • Writers and Poets: Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston.
   • Visual Artists: Aaron Douglas, Augusta Savage.
   • Musicians: Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington.

Cultural Impact

7. Contradictions of The Cotton Club

   • Exclusive white audiences for Black performers.
   • Highlights contradictions within the movement.

8. Foundation for Civil Rights Movement

   • Harlem Renaissance redefined Black culture and identity.
   • Influenced the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.

Decline and Legacy

9. End of the Renaissance

   • Great Depression and 1935 riots led to decline.
   • Economic hardships and social tensions contributed to end.

10. Lasting Impact

• Redefined African-American identity and culture.
  • Inspired future generations of artists and intellectuals.
  • Challenged racial stereotypes and promoted positive image of African-Americans.

Conclusion

• The Harlem Renaissance demonstrated the potential for African-American cultural prosperity and highlighted the possibilities for racial integration and equality.