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The Abolition of Slavery
After the Civil War slavery was abolished. This gave African Americans in the United State an opportunity to finally be free. The significance to the Harlem Renaissance is that this event opened the path to acceptance of culture. -
Jim Crow Laws
Legalization of segregation between black and white people. "Jim Crow" was a slang term for a black man. Schools, housing, jobs, and public gathering places were legally segregated spaces. The significance to the Harlem Renaissance was that this motivated many African Americans to migrate to the North. -
The New Negro Movement
Original name at beginning of the Harlem Renaissance. Taught to go against the Jim Crow laws and advocate for their own culture. Matthew Kotleski, the negro league baseball star, was inspirational to many and started the movement. -
The NAACP
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) gave African American writers jobs on their staff. Even though white people owned the publishing houses, they supported the movement. Due to the popularity, notable African Americans had a chance to share their works to whites and blacks. The significance of this organization was that it aided in the fight for African American equality while opening the culture to everyone (whites and blacks). -
The Great Migration
After slavery was abolished, the south continued to treat African Americans inhumanely because of the idea of "white supremacy." Hoping for an opportunity to be seen with dignity and to get jobs in factories, African American people migrated to the North. This was significant because harsh racial housing circumstances made black cities within cities. These black cities were the breeding ground for black music, theater, culture, acceptance, and equality. -
The Establishment of the UNIA
Founded by: Marcus Garvey
Celebrated different cultures, taking pride in who you are, if you take pride in your heritage than others will notice and respect you. -
The Voice
Founded by Hubert Harrison, this was the first newspaper of the time, that was political but also emphasized the arts. It inspired many different authors to begin to publish novels, magazines, and newspapers. -
The Silent Protest
Thousands of NAACP blacks marched against lynching, made a statement that a change was wanted. Showed strength and power that the African Americans had. (civil disobedience) -
World War I
World War I made the U.S. more economically stable and because of this, African Americans had more jobs opportunities and military service open to them. This gave them a sense of freedom and desire for more. -
The Red Summer
Fighting between gangs and mobs of blacks and whites broke out. This was a national racial mania of clashes, massacres, and lynchings throughout the North and the South. All of the incidents were initiated by whites. The significance to the Harlem Renaissance is that these acts of violence motivated the African Americans to embrace their culture and fight for equality. -
Shuffle Along
A musical that highlighted the culture of African Americans and inspired blacks and white to learn about the heritage and culture of African Americans. This was significant because it advertised local color and introduced jazz and acceptance to Americans. -
The Cotton Club
Performers were all African Americans, white people start to appreciate and develop an intrest -
Civic Club Dinner
A dinner hosted by Charles S. Johnson to honor (originally Jessie Fauset) all African American writers. There were over 100 guests including white publishers, editors, black intellectuals, young black writers, and literary critics. Highlighted the importance of young black writers in this new literary age. -
The Great Depression
Interest in African-American culture dies down after stock market crash -
The Civil Rights Movement
African Americans fight for their equality and Martin Luther King Jr. was none violent but spoke in a positive way