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The National Association for the Advancement for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
The NAACP was an African-American civil rights organization in the United States, formed in 1909 by W. E. B. Du Bois. When he founded the NAACP, it was thought that through his intellectual standpoints, he was able to encourage other African Americans to push the racial boundaries of the early 18th century. Also, through visual arts and music, African Americans were able to prove that they had more to offer, artistically and intellectually. -
The Universal Negro Improvement Association
It was founded by Marcus Garvey. The association was dedicated to racial pride and economic self-sufficiency. The members pledge themselves to do all in their power to conserve the rights of their noble race and to respect the rights of all mankind, believing always in the Brotherhood of Man and the Fatherhood of God. The significance in leading to the Harlem Renaissance was that it influenced many African Americans to stand up for their rights. -
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World War I
Many African Americans served in World War I, which fought on the Western Front between 1917 and 1918. They made up the largest minority group in the American military contingent involved in World War I.They hoped to gain recognition and respect for their service to their country. With racial prejudice still prevalent, the post-war recession led to race riots and lynching, including of black veterans still in uniform. Harlem became a place where black people could express themselves freely. -
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The Great Migration
It was the movement of 6 million African-Americans out of the rural South to the urban Northeast. Driven from their homes by unsatisfactory economic opportunities and harsh segregationist laws, many blacks headed north, where they took advantage of the need for industrial workers that first arose during World War I. Without the Great Migration the African Americans would have not migrated and would have never had the courage to stand up for their rights because they felt unified and empowered. -
The Red Summer
Race riots exploded in a number of cities in both the North and South. Violence broke out between both races and many people were killed and injured during these riots. Its significance in leading to the Harlem Renaissance was that it gave African Americans something to fight against because they did not want to be treated that way. -
The Cotton Clubs Opens
The Cotton Club at first excluded all but white patrons, although the entertainers and most of staff were African American. Shows there were musical revues that featured dancers and singers. Duke Ellington also led a band there. The Cotton Club and Ellington’s band gained national notoriety through weekly broadcasts on a radio station, some of which were recorded and released on albums. It was a place where African Americans were able to express themselves freely though their music and art. -
The Civic Club Dinner
Charles Spurgeon Johnson held a meeting at the New York Civic Club.This was an organized dinner where black writers were brought together with white publishers.This is a celebration of the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance. It was during this time, which a group of talented African-American writers produced an extensive amount of literature in four prominent formats; poetry, fiction, drama, and essay. This is significant because it was one of the first interracial events. -
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The Great Depression
The 1930s worsened the already terrible economic situation of African Americans.They were the first to be laid off from their jobs, and suffered from an unemployment rate two to three times that of whites. In early public assistance programs, African Americans often received less aid than whites, and some charitable organizations even excluded blacks from their soup kitchens.This led to African Americans banning together and using their voice to show that they were proud of their race. -
Works Project Administration (WPA)
Many Harlem Renaissance writers and artists found employment in a government-sponsored program.This organization helped provide economic relief to citizens of the United States who were suffering through the Great Depression.The WPA came at a time of critical need for African Americans.The depression, while imposing hardships of people of all races and ethnic backgrounds, struck blacks particularly hard.The WPA not only hired African-Americans, but its projects contributed to their well-being. -
The Harlem Race Riots
Harlem was the center of major riots, triggered by protests against discriminatory employment policies of white-owned stores in Harlem.Crowds gathered in numbers along the street, and spread to other areas in Harlem.There was also looting and window smashing.The riots ended when the Governor announced to Harlem’s white shop owners that city officials had the situation under control.Overall, many African Americans were killed, injured, or imprisoned.The riot caused a lot of property damage.
