AP African American Studies

Context of Black American History (1930s):

• The period referred to as the "nadir of race relations" extended through the 1930s with continued violence against Black Americans.
• The Great Migration saw 80% of Black Americans still living in the South by 1930.
• The economic impact of the Great Depression disproportionately affected Black Americans, with unemployment rates as high as 70% in some areas.

The New Deal and its Impacts:

• The New Deal created a welfare state but largely excluded Black Americans from benefits.
• Programs like the Wagner Act and Social Security Act excluded sharecroppers and domestic workers.

Political Realignment:

• Many Black voters shifted from the Republican to the Democratic Party after 1936 due to perceived better alignment with their interests.
• Eleanor Roosevelt's support for civil rights played a key role in this shift.

Cultural Movements:

• The New Negro Movement of the 1920s influenced the Négritude and Negrismo movements, promoting Black pride and identity.
• Artists like Langston Hughes helped propagate these movements internationally, celebrating African heritage through cultural expression.

European Colonization in Africa:

• Colonization caused severe disruptions with resistance from African nations.
• The Berlin Conference of 1884 divided Africa among European powers without African consent.

Anticolonialism and Diasporic Solidarity:

• Black activists supported independence movements in Africa, emphasizing connections between global racism and local injustices.
• The 1957 independence of Ghana inspired Black Americans like W.E.B. Du Bois.

The Black Freedom Movement (1940s-1970s):

• Characterized by civil rights activism aiming to combat anti-Black racism.
• Unified by shared struggles against oppression, leading to increased political consciousness among Black Americans.

World War II and Aftermath:

• Black soldiers contributed significantly despite serving in segregated units; the Double V Campaign called for victory against fascism abroad and racism at home.
• The G.I. Bill offered opportunities but often excluded Black veterans due to systemic discrimination.

Emergence of Civil Rights Organizations:

• Key organizations like the NAACP, SCLC, and SNCC mobilized grassroots activism through nonviolent protests and legal battles.
• Historic events like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and Birmingham Campaign gained national attention and support.

Impact of Black Power Movement:

• Shift from civil rights to Black Power focused on self-determination and empowerment.
• Malcolm X's and Stokely Carmichael's advocacy highlighted racial pride and resilience.

Representation in Arts and Culture:

• The Black Arts Movement connected to the Black Freedom Movement, producing works that captured the complexities of Black identity and struggles.
• Music, theater, and literature served as platforms for political expression and critique.