Harlem Renaissance Flashcards
What was Malcolm X’s father involved in?
Malcom X’s father was an organiser for Marcus Garvey’s UNIA, Universal Negro Improvement Association, which promoted the return of African Americans to Africa to achieve self respect.
When did Marcus Garvey set the UNIA?
Marcus Garvey entered America 1916, formed UNIA 1917.
Where did the UNIA originate and what inspired Garvey?
The UNIA was established in Jamaica. In the US, inspired by Booker T Washington’s work at Tuskegee, he strove to promote African Americans controlling their own affairs through building education and setting business.
What popularity did Garvey enjoy?
In June 1917 Garvey’s Harlem speech was wildly cheered, his base was in NY by December. He set up The Negro World, a newspaper sponsored by prosperous Northern blacks. He was seen as the new BT Washington and used ritual pageantry through open-air parades in Harlem where he was driven in a car with uniform – appeal to ghetto residents. Membership may have reached 1 million.
What were positives and disadvantages of the UNIA?
The movement didn’t focus on black victims but celebrated African value, stressed economic improvement, had international support, and used religious fervour. Goals were difficult to reach.
What venture did Garvey have interest in? Why was this a failure?
Garvey related to working class blacks who felt true equality would never come. Garvey’s idea of the Black Star line, with four ships purchased for navy purposes, was popular. However, he seemed more concerned with fancy ventures which were not economically viable and as racial tension cooled so did his support.
How was Garvey removed from power?
Suspicions raised: held talks with KKK in 1922, and colleague James Easton murdered on New Years day 1923. ‘Garvey Must Go’ was catchphrase for black opponents in the NAACP with the group Friends of Negro Freedom highlighting Garvey’s shortcomings. In 1925 Garvey was arrested for fraud and imprisoned, deported in 1929 to Jamaica.
Why did the UNIA have white opposition?
The UNIA was feared by white civilians as it was seen to attract racial bigots. His newspaper also showed to white critics that he supported socialism and sympathised with Russia.
What was the Harlem Renaissance?
Harlem Renaissance, between end of WWI and 1930s. Led to cultural explosion in Harlem. WEB Du Bois in Crisis encouraged artists to leave the South, and published poems, stories, and art in his NAACP journal. Whites were attracted to multiracial speakeasies but little impact made on Jim Crow.
What populations lived in Harlem?
In the 1920s 87,000 black citizens lived there joined by 45,000 hispanics and immigrants from West Indies. Writers such as James Baldwin challenged racism and stood for freedom and musicians drew attention of white patrons but they ignored poverty of masses.
Outline the Jazz Age and its limits…
1920s was the Jazz Age – white Americans attended speakeasies and nightclubs and enjoyed the jazz music. This was the music of slaves encouraged to sing at work with improvised instruments. Louis Armstrong became an international star. Growth of the radio spread music of African Americans into millions of homes, raising self esteem of black citizens. However, performances of black artists were still segregated.
What were limits of the artist and writer movement?
Achievements of writers and musicians separated black middle class and their wants from the majority. NAACP was largely middle class and while it engaged in legal battles for better education and the right to vote, black people in the south were reluctant to assert rights.
