Lecture Notes: Marcus Garvey and the Black Nationalist Movement

Introduction to Marcus Garvey

• Background:
  • Born in Jamaica, grew up in poverty.
  • Understood race relations through British colonialism in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Founding of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)

• Founded: 1914.
• Goal: Unite all black people worldwide.
• Message: Emphasized the need for self-reliance and establishing a nation in Africa.

Immigration to the United States

• Year: 1916.
• Era Context:
  • Blacks were lynched regularly in the South.
  • Movies like "Birth of a Nation" depicted African Americans negatively.
• Impact: Garvey's message gained traction, advocating for black pride and repatriation to Africa.

Philosophy and Vision

• Black Pride: Emphasized the importance of racial pride.
• Repatriation to Africa: Proposed a scheme to return African Americans to Africa.
• Hope for African Americans: Provided a sense of hope and empowerment.

The Black Star Line

• Objective: Establish a steamship line to transport African Americans to Africa.
• Financing:
  • Funded through African American community support.
  • Shares sold to fund the purchase of ships.
• Vision: Facilitate the establishment of a colony in Africa.
• Challenges: Drew attention from the U.S. government.

Government Opposition

• Surveillance: Monitored by J. Edgar Hoover's FBI.
• Legal Challenges: Accused of mail fraud related to the Black Star Line.
• Outcome:
  • Arrested and jailed in 1925.
  • Deported in 1927, never returned to the U.S.
  • Died in London in 1940.

Legacy

• Impact: Father of the modern "Back to Africa" movement.
• Significance: Largest popular political movement in black American history.
• Influence: Inspired anti-colonial movements and black nationalist leaders throughout the 20th century.

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• Final Thought: Garvey's work and vision left a profound impact on the black nationalist movement and continues to influence generations.