AP AFAM Unit 4 Review: African American History and Movements

What does the term 'nadir of race relations' refer to in African American history?

It refers to the period following the end of federal protection of Reconstruction when the status of Black Americans reached its lowest point, as coined by historian Rayford Logan.

Who argued that the 'nadir' extended into the 20th century, especially after World War I?

Historian John Hope Franklin.

What was the average number of lynchings per year in the 1930s in the U.S.?

More than 10 lynchings per year.

What was the Great Migration?

The mass movement of Black Americans out of the South that began around 1915 and continued through the 1940s and 50s.

What percentage of Black Americans lived in the South in 1930?

80%.

How did the Great Depression disproportionately affect Black Americans?

Black unemployment reached 50% overall, and up to 70% in some cities, while the overall U.S. unemployment rate was 25%.

What was one consequence of the Great Depression for the Harlem Renaissance?

The economic devastation meant an end to the Harlem Renaissance.

What was the New Deal?

A series of government programs aimed at combating poverty and putting people back to work during the Great Depression.

How did the New Deal affect Black Americans compared to white Americans?

Black Americans received a disproportionately smaller amount of benefits and were often excluded from significant programs.

What was the significance of the Wagner Act and Social Security Act during the Great Depression?

They were major anti-poverty programs, but sharecroppers and domestic workers, who made up over 60% of the Black labor force, were excluded from these benefits.

What political shift occurred among Black Americans during the Great Depression?

The majority shifted their political allegiance from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party after 1936.

What was the historical voting trend for Black Americans before 1936?

Republicans consistently won at least 75% of Black votes in every presidential election.

What was the impact of local administration of New Deal programs on Black Americans?

It often reinforced Jim Crow laws and limited access to benefits for Black Americans.

What was the role of the NAACP during the Great Depression?

They engaged in lawsuits to fight for civil rights, but faced challenges in gaining equal access to New Deal benefits.

What does 'redlining' refer to in the context of the New Deal?

A practice that denied loans and insurance to residents in certain neighborhoods, often affecting Black communities.

What was the economic status of Black Americans during the Great Depression?

They faced extreme economic hardship, with high unemployment rates and limited access to New Deal benefits.

What was the historical significance of the New Deal for Black Americans?

It marked a shift in political allegiance and highlighted systemic inequities in government aid.

What was the average unemployment rate in the U.S. during the Great Depression?

25%, the highest ever recorded.

What was the impact of the Great Migration on Black communities?

It led to a significant demographic shift as Black Americans sought better opportunities outside the South.

How did the Great Depression affect the labor market for Black workers?

They were often the last hired and first fired, exacerbating their economic struggles.

What was the historical context of the Great Depression for Black Americans?

It occurred during the Nadir of race relations, compounding existing racial injustices.

What was the significance of the New Deal programs for white Americans?

They helped white Americans build intergenerational wealth, which was largely inaccessible to Black Americans.

What did the term 'limited welfare state' mean in the context of the New Deal?

It refers to the expansion of federal government involvement in providing aid to the poor during the Depression.

What significant shift occurred during the Jim Crow era regarding Black voters?

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt's support for civil rights and her friendship with Black women leaders influenced Black voters to lean towards the Democratic Party.

What was W.E.B. Du Bois's perspective on New Deal programs in relation to Black Americans?

He noted that while New Deal programs were not designed to benefit Black Americans, they also did not systematically exclude them, leading many Black voters to favor the Democratic Party.

What was the New Negro Movement?

A cultural movement in the 1920s where poets, artists, and activists embraced a new Black identity, self-definition, and artistic freedom to counter racial stereotypes.

How did the Great Depression affect the Harlem Renaissance?

The Great Depression brought an end to the Harlem Renaissance, but the ideas of the New Negro Movement spread internationally, influencing Négritude and Negrismo.

What role did Langston Hughes play in the New Negro Movement?

He translated works between French, Spanish, and English, helping to spread the ideals of the New Negro Movement.

What common themes did the New Negro, Négritude, and Negrismo movements share?

They emphasized cultural pride and political liberation of Black people, reinforcing the influence of African heritage and aesthetics.

What does Négritude mean and what was its purpose?

Négritude means 'Blackness' in French and was a movement protesting colonialism and the assimilation of Black people into European culture.

Who created the artwork 'Les Fétiches' and what does it represent?

Loïs Mailou Jones created 'Les Fétiches,' which represents strength, beauty, and protection in African ancestral heritage.

Where did Négritude emerge and why was it significant?

Négritude emerged in Paris, a cultural hub for African American artists and intellectuals, known for its liberal attitudes towards race.

Who was Josephine Baker and what was her significance during the Négritude movement?

Josephine Baker was a jazz age entertainer who moved to Paris to escape racial discrimination and became an icon of Négritude, challenging racial stereotypes through her performances.

What was Negrismo and where did it emerge?

Negrismo was a cultural movement that celebrated African contributions in Latin American music, folklore, literature, and art, emerging in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean.

Who was Wifredo Lam and what was his contribution to Negrismo?

Wifredo Lam was an Afro-Cuban artist who was a leading figure during the Negrismo period.

What impact did the New Negro Movement have on the Black Diaspora?

It spread ideas of cultural pride and self-definition, influencing movements like Négritude and Negrismo internationally.

How did the New Negro Movement counter racial stereotypes?

Through jazz, photography, and literature, it claimed Black history and identity, refusing to be silent about American history.

What was the relationship between Négritude and the New Negro Movement?

Négritude was influenced by the New Negro Movement, sharing similar themes of cultural pride and political liberation.

What was the significance of Paris for Afro-descendants during the Négritude movement?

Paris served as a diasporic hub for artists and intellectuals, offering a more liberal environment for Black culture and expression.

What was the role of educated elites in the Négritude and Negrismo movements?

Both movements initially manifested among educated elites who sought to redefine Black identity and culture.

What was the broader impact of the Négritude and Negrismo movements on Black identity?

They affirmed the influence of African heritage on Afro-descendants and promoted a sense of pride in Black culture.

What were the artistic expressions associated with the New Negro Movement?

Jazz, photography, and literature were key artistic expressions that countered racial stereotypes.

What did the Négritude movement protest against?

It protested against colonialism and the assimilation of Black people into European culture.

How did the experiences of Afro-descendants in Paris during the Négritude movement shape their cultural contributions?

Their experiences in a vibrant cultural scene allowed them to challenge racial stereotypes and express their identities artistically.

What was the relationship between Négritude and Negrismo regarding their cultural focus?

Both movements celebrated African heritage but were rooted in different linguistic and cultural contexts—French for Négritude and Spanish for Negrismo.

What does Lam's The Jungle (1943) reflect on?

The legacies of slavery and colonialism in Cuba, using West and Central African art motifs.

Who are prominent figures associated with Négritude and Negrismo?

Aimé Césaire, Langston Hughes, Josephine Baker, and Wifredo Lam.

What was the critique of colonialism by proponents of Négritude and Negrismo?

They rejected the idea that European colonialism civilized colonized subjects, arguing that racial ideologies underpinned colonial exploitation and coerced labor.

How did African Americans relate to Négritude and Negrismo?

They saw connections between these movements and their own critiques of global capitalism and racism.

What role did Jessie Redmon Fauset play in relation to Négritude and Negrismo?

She condemned racism and colonialism as interrelated means of dehumanizing people of African descent.

What were the initial interactions between Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa?

Europeans and African states were trade partners starting in the 1500s, with Portuguese voyagers seeking gold and a sea route to India.

What technological advancements in the 1800s enabled European colonization of Africa?

Western European countries developed advanced industrial machines and weapons, leading to a craving for natural resources and the military ability to invade Africa.

What was the outcome of the Berlin Conference in 1884?

European powers divided Africa among themselves without African representation.

What was the impact of Belgian rule in the Congo?

An estimated 10-15 million people died under Belgian rule as the colonizers attempted to turn central Africa into a rubber plantation.

What was the Herero Genocide?

The genocide of the Herero people in German Southwest Africa, which included forced starvation and concentration camps.

What was the expectation of Africans after World War 1 regarding imperialism?

There was hope that Europe would respect Africans enough to end imperialism, but this did not happen.

What did Marcus Garvey advocate for regarding Africa?

He believed African Americans should shed their own blood to make Africa free.

What common ground did W.E.B. Du Bois and Marcus Garvey share?

Both agreed on the need for independence for Africa.

What was the purpose of the first Pan-Africa conference hosted by W.E.B. Du Bois?

To bring together anti-imperialist activists from Africa and the Black diaspora to strategize against European colonization.

What does transnational activism refer to?

Activism that occurs across nations, particularly in the context of the Black Freedom movement.

What time period does the Black Freedom movement encompass?

From the mid-1940s to the 1970s.

What was the primary goal of the Black Freedom movement?

To unite Black people across nations to fight against anti-Black racism and colonization.

What was the significance of the Ashanti resistance against British colonization?

It took four wars for the British to defeat the Ashanti and gain control of modern Ghana.

Which African country successfully resisted colonization during the European scramble for Africa?

Ethiopia, which defeated Italian invaders.

What was a major consequence of World War 1 for African territories?

Germany's African territories were split between the British and the French instead of being granted independence.

What is the relationship between colonialism and the dehumanization of people of African descent?

Colonialism and racism were seen as interrelated means of dehumanizing people of African descent.

What was a key theme in Aimé Césaire's 'Discourse on Colonialism'?

Critique of colonialism and its impact on colonized peoples.

What significant movements marked the period discussed in the notes?

The Civil Rights movement and the Black Power movement.

What did the Civil Rights movement achieve regarding Jim Crow laws?

It annulled (ended) Jim Crow laws and practices.

What is Black consciousness?

It is the realization of one's Black identity and the focus on its significance in a racist world, promoting pride in Black identity, culture, and history.

What was the goal of Pan-Africanism?

The unity of Africans and the elimination of colonialism and white supremacy from the continent.

What event in 1957 marked a significant moment for African independence?

Ghana became the first modern and independent African state to emerge from European colonization.

What was the significance of Ghana's independence for African American activists?

It inspired visits from activists like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Maya Angelou, and Pauli Murray.

Who was W.E.B. Du Bois and what role did he play in Ghana?

He moved to Ghana and advised its first leaders, contributing to the country's development.

What influence did Kwame Nkrumah have on Pan-Africanism?

He was a leading advocate who sought to unite Africans worldwide and welcomed African American activists to Ghana.

What challenges did Kwame Nkrumah face during his leadership?

He faced economic struggles, political repression, and tensions with regional and ethnic groups.

What does Nkrumah's overthrow in 1966 illustrate about Black nationalism?

It highlights the limitations of Black nationalism and diasporic solidarity in maintaining unity and stability post-independence.

What was the significance of Joe Louis's trip to Cuba in 1960?

It demonstrated African American solidarity with Afro-Cubans over allegiance to the U.S., promoting Cuba as a tourist destination for African Americans.

How did the U.S. government react to Joe Louis's trip to Cuba?

The FBI sought to damage Louis's career due to his actions.

What event in 1962 affected travel between the U.S. and Cuba?

The Cuban Missile Crisis, which shut down all travel between the two countries.

What does the partnership between African Americans and Afro-Cubans signify?

It highlights how shared experiences of racism and oppression fostered diasporic unity across national borders.

What was the impact of diasporic solidarity on Black politics in the twentieth century?

It influenced Black politics in the U.S. and abroad, fostering connections and shared goals among people of African descent.

What role did African American writers and leaders play in the African decolonization movement?

They visited Africa to express solidarity and support for its decolonization during the 1950s and 1960s.

What was the historical context of Ghana's name change from British Gold Coast?

The name 'Ghana' was chosen as an homage to the ancient Trans-Saharan trade empire of Ghana.

How did the Berlin Conference affect Ghana's ethnic composition?

The British lumped together 75 different ethnicities, creating a complex national identity.

What was the significance of Elmina Castle in Ghana's history?

It is a historical site linked to the transatlantic slave trade and colonial history.

What was the relationship between Nkrumah and Pan-Africanist thinkers?

He was influenced by thinkers like W.E.B. Du Bois and Marcus Garvey during his studies in the U.S.

What was the outcome of Nkrumah's efforts to consolidate national unity in Ghana?

It sometimes led to tensions with regional and ethnic groups, particularly the Ashanti.

What does the term 'diasporic solidarity' refer to?

It refers to the unity and support among people of African descent across different nations.

How did the Civil Rights movement and Black Power movement differ in their focus?

The Civil Rights movement focused on legal equality, while the Black Power movement emphasized racial pride and identity.

What was the significance of diasporic solidarity between African Americans and Africans?

It bolstered the global reach of the Black Freedom movement and brought international attention to Africa's decolonization movement.

What major event occurred in 1960 related to African nations?

Seventeen African nations declared their independence from European colonialism, marking it as the 'Year of Africa'.

What initiative did Ghana create in 2019 to connect with African descendants?

The 'Year of Return,' aimed at reuniting African descendants with the continent.

What was the status of the United States Armed Forces at the beginning of the Second World War?

The U.S. Armed Forces remained segregated.

How many African Americans registered for the draft or enlisted during the Second World War?

Over two million African Americans registered or voluntarily enlisted.

Who were the Tuskegee Airmen?

The first African American pilots in the U.S. military, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

What role did the Tuskegee Airmen play during the Second World War?

They contributed to the fight against fascism by flying over 15,000 sorties and protecting bombers.

What was the Double V Campaign during the Second World War?

A campaign advocating for a 'double victory' against fascism abroad and Jim Crow segregation at home.

Who inspired the Double V Campaign and how?

James G. Thompson inspired it with a letter to the Pittsburgh Courier, calling for victory against both fascism and racism.

What was the response of A. Philip Randolph regarding discrimination in defense jobs?

He threatened a massive march on Washington to protest discrimination in defense jobs.