The Harlem RenaissanceThe Harlem Renaissance

The cultural, artistic, and social revival that exploded in New York

City during the 1920’s.

When, Where, Why?When, Where, Why?• The Harlem Renaissance began at the end of

World War I and lasted into the 1930’s.• It took place in the neighborhood of Harlem in

New York City.• This movement began with the Great Migration,

an exodus of African Americans escaping the problems of racism in the South and seeking better jobs and an overall better life in the North.

• Also known as the “New Negro Movement”.

Specific causes of the Great Specific causes of the Great MigrationMigration

• Job vacancies due to World War I. • Reconstruction after the Civil War had been

unsuccessful in shedding racial violence.• Jim Crow laws- “separate but equal” (which

lasted into 1964!)

Many were disappointed to find that both housing and jobs were scarce.

Many African Americans Many African Americans ended up in Harlem, which ended up in Harlem, which soon became the center of soon became the center of

Negro life.Negro life.

Specific circumstances leading to the Specific circumstances leading to the Harlem Renaissance Harlem Renaissance

• The urban migration of African Americans.

• Trends toward experimentation throughout the country

• The rise of radical African American intellectuals

Traditions emerge in HarlemTraditions emerge in Harlem

With the movement of people comes the movement of traditions. African Americans brought:

• Music • Language• Food• Religion• Art

Progression through the artsProgression through the arts

The production of art, literature, and music served as a way for the African American community to shatter racial stereotypes and overwhelming racism from the white community of the time. It also helped to uplift the race and create racial pride.

MusicMusic

• Music created included the blues, jazz, spirituals, and gospel music.

• Artists to emerge during this time included Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Dizzy Gillespie.

• Songs often touched on themes of oppression, identity, and the struggle African Americans faced everyday.

ArtArt

• Painters, sculptors and graphic artists set out to establish their artistic abilities as a community through improvisation and style.

• Artists used experience to inspire material.

• Artists often incorporated symbols of the Harlem Renaissance in their art as well.

The best part…literature!!!The best part…literature!!!

• The literature movement of the Harlem Renaissance was initiated by the “Talented Tenth”, a group of well-educated black professionals who believed that literature and the arts would help gain social acceptance for the race.

• A formal campaign to gain literary efforts was started and gained astounding results.

• A large group of young talent emerged. • The four largest genres were poetry, fiction,

drama, and essay.

Harlem Renaissance writersHarlem Renaissance writers

Such talented writers included Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Claude McKay, and Zora Neale Hurston (to name a few).

Langston Hughes

Countee Cullen

Claude McKay

Zora Neale Hurston

Themes and elements of literatureThemes and elements of literature

• Identity• Tension• Alienation• Appreciation of heritage/roots• Oppression• Life in Harlem• The potential for a “future” and nostalgia of the

past• Loss of a dream

The outcome?The outcome?

Rich, provocative, and vibrant literature that provides new structures, fresh rhythms, unforgettable images, inspirational stories of quest, courage, endurance and determination.