BDC CH.6 Flashcards
How was Garveyism viewed internationally by federal governments?
- found rise of UNIA/Garvey disturbing
- UK = thought Garveyism might destabilize their hold on Africa/Caribbean
- US = viewed Garvey as powerful agitator (had magnetism/support to threaten white supremacy)
- even black leaders had mixed feelings of Garvey
(FUUE)
What made Garvey so important to black nationalism?
- did not invent it
- but was first/only to make mass movement of it (millions of followers
DB)
What did Marcus Garvey give to blacks that they’d never had before?
- sense they were a proud people
- belonged to a nation w/ proud past/heroic present
- insisted blacks were Negroes first + Americans second
(SB)
What was Marcus Garvey arguing about Africa?
- if all people of African descent joined together they could liberate continent
- go to war w/ whites to free Africa
- then create great African empire to embrace all Negroes
(IGT)
What did Garvey do in preparation for the “liberation of Africa”?
- created gov. in waiting
- endowed it w/ symbols of nationhood
CE
What were the nationhood steps that Garvey endowed in the UNIA
- members saluted their own flag
- sang a national anthem
- recited a motto
- chanted a slogan
- had their own diplomatic corps/military
- had own place of worship
(MSRCHH)
What was common among Caribbean immigrants in the US?
- were most prominent members in black nationalist/radical circles
- West Indian immigrants more militant than native born Americans
(WW)
Why were West Indian/Caribbean immigrants more militant than American born Negroes?
- unaccustomed to being a minority
- had never experienced legalized racial segregation
- had long history of armed resistance to slavery
(UHH)
How did Garvey’s West Indian background give him better experiences/insights than American born black leaders?
- grew up in majority black society (combined racial tolerance w/ racial inequality)
- was friends w/ white children (had no race prejudice growing up)
- had a much bigger imagination for black achievement
- exposed to Jamaican caste system (whites + coloreds + blacks)
(GWHE)
How did the Jamaican caste system soften the antagonism between blacks/whites in their society?
- small size of white pop.
- legality of racial intermarriage
- favored position of coloreds (mulattos)
(SLF)
How did the racial caste system of Jamaica prevent the formation of a strong sense of identity among blacks?
- lacked unity even though they were discriminated against
- coloreds formed buffer between them/whites
- coloreds identified w/ whites (blacks saw colored privilege as evidence that color line wasn’t strict)
- whites manipulated coloreds so both oppressed blacks
(LCCW)
What were the convictions of Garvey when he left Jamaica?
- Negroes must unite no matter their shade (whites will never see you as equal)
- black people hampered by own lack of ambition rather than prejudice/discrimination
(NB)
What did Garvey believe was the way for blacks to achieve greater things?
- emulate whites + match their achievement
- respect of whites had to be earned
- advancement of black race was above all a matter of will
- blacks must be builders not complainers
- was admirer of Booker T at first
(ERABW)
What was the UNIA?
- Universal Negro Improvement Association
- founded by Garvey + first wife Amy Ashwood
UF
Why did Garvey end up moving to New York?
- UNIA attracted little attention in Jamaica
- wanted to organize an American branch
UW
What was the initial response to Garvey + the UNIA in New York?
- not well received
- competing w/ more prominent radicals like A Phillip Randolph
- failed first two times to open new UNIA branch
- dismissed by the Harlem public as carpetbagger
(NCFD)
What did Garvey decide to do in 1918?
- make NY the central base instead of Jamaica for the UNIA
- founded Negro World Newspaper
- grew NY branch to 5000 members by 1919 + 30 other branches
(MFG)
What accounted for Garvey’s sudden rise in popularity after 1918?
- his speaking prowess
- not apologetic message to whites like other black leaders (Washington + even DuBois)
- UNIA only pitched to blacks which fostered black chauvinism (unlike interracial NAACP)
- a vision of “Africa for Africans”
- his timing
(HNUAT)
What were the characteristics of Africa during Garvey’s time?
- Africa had been carved up by European powers
- only Liberia/Ethiopia left under black government
- Africa depicted as savage/dangerous place in media
- whites saw Africans as sub-human (destined to be ruled by whites)
(BAOAW)
What did the UNIA + Garvey say/do to reverse the negative image of Africa?
- blacks had been robbed of African identity
- depicted Africa as cradle to civilization (Egypt was advanced society back then)
- were far from barbarous heathens depicted
- native Africans “most noble people in the world”
(BDWN)
What did the UNIA + Garvey do to influence the Bible?
- took plans to refute racism in the Scriptures
- knew most blacks were Christian
- insisted Biblical passages used by whites to justify Negro slavery
- maintained the Bible depicted black ancestors in respectful terms
(TKIM)
What were the characteristics of Garvey’s nationalism?
- very pro black + sometimes anti-white
- at times sounded like a black racist
- for the most part avoided ugly parts of nationalism
(VAF)
How were some of Garvey’s rhetoric anti-white?
- popularized the term “white devils”
- were always threatening war against whites
PW
What was Garvey’s goal?
- world where blacks could attain parity not superiority w/ whites
- white devil more of a political term not literal truth
- “black God” was imaginative device not exclusive deity
(WWB)
How did timing affect Garvey’s quick rise?
- death of Washington removed primary symbol of black leadership
- neither NAACP + National Urban League could replace Washington
- NAACP/NUL too narrow focused/had too much white involvement
- no all Negro org. w/ plan for race beyond equality + citizens rights
- UNIA appealed to those wanting racial solidarity
(DNNNU)
What was the state of the US after WWI?
- saw blacks return from France (bitter over treatment in army)
- widespread labor unrest marked by strikes
- upsurge in European nationalism (Ireland fighting British rule)
- stirring of anti-colonialism among colored people in India/Caribbean/Africa
(SWUS)
What were the conservative trends growing in the US after WWI?
- revival of KKK
- race riots
- inc. in lynching
- determination of white South to maintain Jim Crow
(RRID)
How did Garvey take advantage of the state of black America after WWI?
- heightened expectations + continuing oppression made black opinion very volatile
- Garvey leaped into “ocean of black unhappiness”
(HG)
What has been a wrong interpretation of Garvey’s philosophy?
- wasn’t advocating for all to emigrate back to Africa
- said at some indeterminate point should return
- never pretended it was a realistic option for most blacks
- saw establishment of free/independent Africa as key to improving blacks position in US
(WSNS)
What did Garvey know about the white immigrants in the US?
assisted by the rise of Euro nationalism
- lynching of Italians in New Orleans provoked diplomatic crisis between Italy/US
- US discrimination against Japanese caused problems w/ Japan
- rise of Irish in US paralleled growth of Irish nationalism
- blacks could not exert any external pressure
(LURB)
What was the effect of blacks not having international external pressure to assist them like European immigrants?
- whites lynched them w/ impunity
- Garvey said once “big black African Republic” established blacks would have outside ally
WG
Why were blacks so hopeful of Garvey’s philosophy for an independent Africa when the vision seemed very unlikely?
nationalism was trending in 1919
- WWI had destroyed traditional empires
- new nations were rising from ruins
- Paris Peace Conference endorsed “self determination”
- even British colonialism was starting to weaken (independence movements in India/Egypt)
(WNPE)
What movement was the biggest motivator to the UNIA + the biggest threat to British rule?
rebellion in Ireland
- old Home Party rule done
- 1918 = new nationalist party (Sinn Fein) rose in power
- captured Irish allegiance thru message of complete independence from Britain
- teamed up w/ Irish Republican Army to fight against UK
- Eamon De Valera (Irish president) went on US speaking tour
(ONCTE)
What were black leaders saying leading up to the Treaty of Versailles?
- DuBois argued free German colonies should be placed under international administration
- Garvey campaigned for German colonies complete independence
(DG)
How was the Treaty of Versailles a disappointment to black leaders?
- placed former German colonies under Ally control
- transfer of control of Africa from one white gov. to another
- broke up Africa w/o seeking the wishes of African people
(PTB)
Why did Garvey think it was a matter of time before another war would break out?
- new era of great power rivalry + economic competition would lead to another war
- lead to ultimate destruction of Euro colonialism
- Japan had imperial ambitions + posed clear challenge to white power in Asia
- Japan has backing of India/Indochina
(NLJJ)
What did Garvey predict about the next war?
- would be battle between Asians vs whites
- blacks would be big participants
- no longer fighting in service of white oppressors
- now fighting for African liberation
(WBNN)
What was the BSL?
The Black Star Line Steamship Corporation
- formed by UNIA in 1919
- propaganda machine (ships preeminent symbol of national power)
- would provide black passengers service throughout Caribbean
- ships thought to eventually reap huge rewards from trade w/ Africa
(FPWS)
What was the UNIA doing by selling stock in BSL?
- offered blacks tangible stake in all black marine merchant
- many of the poor had invested in liberty bonds during war + accumulated savings
- now being lured to buy stocks in belief profits were guaranteed
- FBI began investigating UNIA for grandiose promises of profit
(OMNF)
What were the early stages of BSL like?
- had acquired 3 ships by 1920
- Garvey toured Caribbean in 1921
- UNIA hatching plans to buy transatlantic steamer
- BSL transformed Garvey to prominent black leader on three continents
(HGUB)
What was the connection between Liberia + the UNIA?
became focus of UNIA African ambitions
- was only African country besides Ethiopia that had escaped white colonial rule
- Liberia accessible by sea + had cultural ties to US (unlike Ethiopia)
- small English-speaking elite ruled (mostly descendants of former African slaves)
- natives inhabited interior of country
(WLSN)
What was the proposal the UNIA made to Liberia?
- would invest $2 mil. in their struggling economy
- $$$ to be raised in US from selling Liberian Construction Bonds
- UNIA would safeguard Liberian political independence + give Garvey foothold in Africa
(WMU)
Who were the Garveyites/UNIA members?
- most native born Americans
- almost half of leaders were Caribbean immigrants
- attracted many blacks from all professions
- male dominated but appealed to women more than many other black orgs.
- had women in top leadership unlike NAACP
(MAAMH)
What was Garvey’s position in black America by 1920-21?
- height of power/influence
- UNIA major political force in postwar time
- Negro World was growing in popularity
- media circulating internationally
- had over 400 UNIA branches (dwarfed NAACP)
(HUNMH)
How was Garvey’s power waning in 1922?
- BSL was failing
- Liberia expedition failed
- was facing federal prosecution for mail fraud
- revolutionary tide of 1919 had receded (destroyed prospects of African liberation)
- UNIA facing hostility both at home + internationally
- dealing w/ criticism from other prominent blacks
(BLGRUG)
What was the fate of the BSL?
awful disaster
- ships lost money from the start (one ship couldn’t sail)
- Garvey business inexperience + administrative incompetence + poor judgements worsened situation
- BSL collapsed when negotiations for ocean steamer fell through
- couldn’t pay UNIA staff b/c BSL bled all profits
(SGBC)
What was the federal situation that Garvey was facing?
- Jan. 1922 = Garvey + three others indicted for mail fraud
- was facing possible deportation
JW
What was the affect of the BSL’s failure on Garvey?
- weakened his prestige/authority
What was characteristic of the 1922 UNIA convention?
a lot of latent tensions came out
- American blacks said West Indian immigrants too clannish + assertive + influential
- women complained of being sidelined
- Garvey target of criticism
(AWG)
How were the UNIA ignorant about their aspirations in Liberia?
- UNIA members stunned by difference in political conditions between Liberia/US
- Liberia much more corrupt + exclusive + xenophobic
- hated American blacks (tried changing their values)
- corrupt Liberians had no intention to share power to organization of American blacks
- excluded UNIA all together after Liberian president gave concessions to Firestone Rubber Company
(ULHCE)
What did Garvey do in response to the BSL + Liberia setbacks?
became inc. autocratic
- tried to bully UNIA critics into silence (removed them completely from org. sometimes)
- James Eason defected from UNIA (ended up getting shot/killed by Garveyites in New Orleans)
- would lead to Justice Department investigation into Garvey (colleagues becoming willing to rat)
(TJW)
What was the most controversial phase of Garvey’s career?
advocated for blacks to completely separate from whites
- agreed w/ President Harding’s segregationist statements
- said blacks should seek accommodation w/ white supremacists
- insisted Southern Whites were blacks best friends (echoes of Booker T)
(ASI)
Where did Garvey’s advocation for racial separation come from?
assessment of how racial groups interacted
- condemned riots/lynchings by whites
- but appearance of incidents suggested universal law of races existed
- man’s sinful nature made “brotherhood” of man impossible to attain
- said blacks should only look out for themselves
(CBMS)
What was crucial to Garvey’s analysis that racial separation was the best solution for blacks?
conviction that conditions for blacks would get worse not better
- white Supremacy ruled in the South + Great Migration North was turning sour
- riots/discrimination proved Northern whites no more willing to accept blacks as equals as Southern whites
(WR)
How did Garvey’s argument for blacks to make a virtue out of necessity possess an obvious logic?
- NAACP made little progress in discrimination/segregation
- socialists like A Phillip Randolph had little voice
- blacks had very little political influence at all
- therefore UNIA strategy of separatism was no more ridiculous than NAACP integration pursuit
(NSBT)
What was Garvey hoping to accomplish w/ more segregationist stances?
- accommodation to conservative/racist 20s
- sought to emulate Washington’s Atlanta Compromise
- extend UNIA presence in South by reassuring they weren’t trying to threaten Jim Crow
(ASE)
What were some of the bad judgements Garvey made to try to support his segregationist stance ?
- argued lynching aroused blacks’ consciousness
- said white supremacists were black best friends
- thanked Southern whites for “lynching racial pride into Negroes”
(AST)
Why did Garvey withdraw his support from the NAACP’s campaign against lynching?
- said even if anti-lynching law passes there’s no way it will be enforced
What is considered Garvey’s most egregious action?
- June 1922 = admitted to meeting w/ KKK grand wizard Edward Clarke
- agreed w/ KKK opposition to miscegenation
- condemned the civil rights policies of the NAACP
- said NAACP filled w/ light skins that hated black ancestry
(JACS)
What was DuBois’ thoughts regarding the BSL?
- thought it was a racket to fleece gullible poor black people out of $$$
When did most black leaders begin to completely turn on Garvey?
- after he endorsed segregation
What did the NAACP + DuBois do in response to Garvey’s endorsement of segregation + agreement w/ KKK?
- started “Garvey Must Go” campaign in the Messenger
- wanted to drive Garveyism out of the US
- led by A Phillip Randolph + Chandler Owens
- launched series of public meeting to denounce Garvey as traitor/race baiter
- wrote to US Attorney General to get rid of him
(SWLLW)
What made Garvey’s attacks on NAACP leaders + DuBois especially burdensome?
- attacking lighter complexion
- had been unwritten rule that color difference should be downplayed/ignored
- recognized how destructive it could be if dark skins + light skins turned on each other
- fact that class structure + skin tone were related made the comments even more volatile (AHRF)
What did skin tone of blacks historically have to do w/ class structure?
- most of middle/upper class was light skinned
- descendants of antebellum class of “free Negroes” prior to Civil War
- had enjoyed special privileges as children of slave masters
- were the first blacks before Civil War to be educated
- were disproportionate # of black politicians following Civil War
- most black leaders at the time were light skinned
(MDHWWM)
What was the result of Garvey using skin tone to further his cause?
did more harm than good
- mulattoes in US didn’t enjoy special privileges like Jamaica (one drop rule labeled them black)
- racism forced mulattoes to identify w/ dark skinned blacks
- black/mulatto marriage was inc. common in the 20s
- only small # of blacks had no white ancestry
(MRBO)
What harsh comments did Garvey critics have for him?-
- characterized Garvey followers as primitive
- referred to Garvey as foreigner
- said West Indians running UNIA
- charged Garvey w/ fostering antagonism between West Indians + Americans
- colluded w/ federal gov. to convict Garvey on false charges to get him deported
- aided/abetted w/ the FBI
(ARSCCA)
What happened to Garvey in 1923?
- convicted of mail fraud
- went to penitentiary in Atlanta in 1925 (5 yr sentence)
- President Coolidge commutes rest of term after 2 yrs
- sends him back to Jamaica (never returns to US)
(CWPS)
What happened to the UNIA once Garvey was deported back to Jamaica?
disintegrated into factions
- black nationalism diminished significantly entering 30s
- was finished as a mass movement
- Garvey died in London in 1940
(BWG)
Why on the surface does it appear that Garvey/the UNIA posed little threat to the America social order?
- Garvey condemned communism + unions/praised capitalism
- racial purity argument disarmed white supremacist fears
- by the time of his deportation UNIA was past their prime
(GRB)
What made the UNIA/Garvey appear so dangerous to the social order?
b/c of what they could inspire
- British concerned about Negro World becoming popular in Africa
- US Attorney General said deportation necessary to prevent negro uprising
(BU)
What effect did black opponents of Garvey have on racial progress once Garvey was defeated?
- destroyed an all black org. in the UNIA that fostered racial pride + gave many blacks leadership opportunities
- destroyed the Garveyism mass movement but didn’t replace it w/ anything
- NAACP accomplished minimal after its demise
- NAACP did little to recruit former Garveyites
- mass movement wouldn’t revive until 50s/60s
(DDNNM)
