The Harlem Renaissance: Culture and Impact

What was the Harlem Renaissance?

A significant social/cultural movement during the 1920s & 30s after the Great Migration where Blacks moved north and west, characterized by a flourishing of literature, art, and music reflecting African American history.

What did the Harlem Renaissance aim to achieve?

It aimed to fight societal conventions and gave voice to oppressed Blacks, inspiring today's artists.

Who was WEB Du Bois and what did he advocate for?

WEB Du Bois believed that equality would be achieved by sharing Black pride, heritage, and traditions.

What is the 'Talented Tenth'?

A concept by WEB Du Bois referring to a group of privileged African American professionals, nearly all second-generation college graduates, including doctors and lawyers.

Who was Countee Cullen?

A poet and native of Harlem, married to WEB Du Bois's daughter, who envisioned an American identity transcending race.

Name three important writers of the Harlem Renaissance.

Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, and Jean Toomer.

What was 'The Crisis'?

A NAACP magazine that became the voice for the era's great thinkers during the Harlem Renaissance.

What was the significance of the Jazz Age in the Harlem Renaissance?

Music was a major cultural element, featuring artists like Josephine Baker, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Bessie Smith.

What was Lafayette in the context of the Harlem Renaissance?

Harlem's first theater group, which contributed to the cultural scene.

Who was Charles Gilpin?

The most prominent Black actor of the time, who founded the Lafayette Players.

What role did Eugene O'Neill play in the Harlem Renaissance?

A White playwright who wrote plays on the Black experience.

Who was Oscar Micheaux?

A pioneer filmmaker known for works like 'Within Our Gates'.

What were some prominent visual artists of the Harlem Renaissance?

Augusta Savage and Palmer Hayden.

What was James Van Der Zee known for?

Photographing crucial footage that defined Harlem's middle class.

What inspired the art during the Harlem Renaissance?

Art was inspired by Ancient Egypt, American folk, and European influences.

How did the Harlem Renaissance end?

It ended with the Great Depression, which led to significant job losses for Black families.

What was the impact of the Great Depression on Black employment?

Black jobs were cut first, with 50% of families losing work.

What event is considered by some to mark the end of the Harlem Renaissance?

The Harlem Race Riot, during which Harlem Blacks destroyed many white-owned properties.