Key Concepts in African American Resistance During the Great Migration and Harlem Renaissance

Context of Resistance

  • Historical Background: African Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries faced a re-emerging oppressive South characterized by racism, segregation laws, and violence from groups like the KKK.
  • Types of Resistance: Both passive and active forms of resistance emerged during this time.

The Great Migration

  • Definition: A significant movement of 6 million African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West from 1916 to the 1970s, aimed at escaping oppression and seeking better opportunities.
  • Push Factors: Racism, economic disillusionment, and harsh segregation laws.
  • Pull Factors: Labor shortages in the North due to World War I, leading to increased job availability and the targeting of African Americans by recruiters from Northern industries.
  • Effects on Demographics: Between 1910 and 1920, African American populations increased dramatically in Northern cities:
    • New York: 66%
    • Chicago: 148%
    • Philadelphia: 500%
    • Detroit: 611%

Living Conditions Post-Migration

  • Employment Struggles: Many migrants found dangerous and unsatisfactory jobs in factories; women faced worse competition for domestic work.
  • Housing Challenges: Segregation was not legally mandated in the North, but racism persisted, leading to housing discrimination.
  • Social Impacts: Increased interracial strife and race riots, notably the Chicago race riot of 1919, led to significant violence and displacement.

The Rise of African American Communities

  • Cultural Enclaves: The Great Migration fostered the development of African American neighborhoods (e.g., Harlem) that became centers of culture and political activism.
  • Cultural Movements: The Harlem Renaissance emerged, redefining African American culture through music, art, and literature.

Key Voices of Protest & Their Beliefs

  1. Booker T. Washington

    • Philosophy: Advocated for economic and moral advancement through vocational training and compromise with whites.
    • Achievements: Founded the Tuskegee Institute and laid out his ideas in the Atlanta Compromise (1895).

  2. W. E. B. Du Bois

    • Philosophy: Promoted higher education and direct action against discrimination; emphasized a “talented tenth” who would lead the race.
    • Achievements: Co-founded the NAACP and authored "The Souls of Black Folk."

  3. Ida B. Wells

    • Focus: Campaigned rigorously against lynching and for women's rights.
    • Contributions: Authored significant works exposing the realities of lynching and co-founded the NAACP.

  4. Marcus Garvey

    • Philosophy: Advocated for black nationalism and self-reliance; proposed the back-to-Africa movement.
    • Achievements: Founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA).

The Harlem Renaissance

  • Overview: A cultural movement during the 1920s and 1930s that celebrated African American culture, integrating it with mainstream American culture.
  • Cultural Renaissance: Rebirth of arts, music, literature, and intellectual pursuits, promoting racial pride and challenging racism.
  • Key Figures:
    • Jacob Lawrence: Known for vibrant paintings depicting African American history and migration.
    • Langston Hughes: Influential poet who conveyed the African American experience through his works.
    • Musicians: Jazz and blues emerged as major genres, with icons like Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong representing musical innovation.
    • Blues vs. Jazz:
    • Blues: Originated from African American spirituals and work songs, characterized by melancholic themes.
    • Jazz: Developed as a fusion of African and European musical traditions, known for its improvisation and vibrant compositions.

Summary of Resistance

  • Active Resistance: The Great Migration serves as an example of "voting with your feet."
  • Cultural and Political Activism: Voices of protest demonstrated African Americans' refusal to accept inferiority and underlined their commitment to civil rights and cultural resilience.
  • Lasting Impact: The movements and cultural transformations initiated during this period laid the groundwork for future civil rights activism and continue to influence American culture today.