African American 1917 And 1932 Essay

Identify and discuss the social, economic, and political changes African Americans experienced within American society between 1917 and 1932. What drove these changes?

The period between 1917 and 1932 was one that influenced the African American population for many generations. This period included many crucial events, such as the Great Migration, the Harlem Renaissance and the Great Depression. Many other factors were influenced by these events, such as the Jim Crow Laws, racial riots and the Plessy vs Ferguson ruling. The Great Migration began around 1916 but became more prominent closer to mid 1917. It saw a significant movement of the African American population from the agricultural Southern states to the more urbanised North. This move

It involved the relocation of the of over 6 million people, around 90% of the population, in the move from the South to a vast spread across the country. There were many reasons for this relocation, many of which stemmed from the Jim Crow Laws. These laws had been around for decades, but became far more prominent during the 1910’s. Put simply, this legislation allows the public segregation of anyone in the African American community. It excluded them from places like public transport/facilities, juries, certain employment and even neighbourhoods. Other factors that contributed towards the migration were all closely linked to the desire for a better life. For example, the ratio of lynchings in the North compared to the South was immense. In 1994, Gunnar Myrdal wrote: “The Southern States account for nine-tenths of the lynchings. More than two thirds of the remaining one-tenth occurred in the six states which immediately border the South”. This shows the vast disparity of living in the South compared to the North as an African American person in the period of 1917-1932. The social and political environment of the Southern states was dire, and living conditions for the African American population were terrible. On top of the poor living conditions, the work in the South caused many economic issues. Sharecropping was a predominant form of employment for African

Centred in the Harlem district of NY, the renaissance was part of a nationwide urban revolution sparked by both World War 1 and the Great Migration. It brought the debate over racial identity, segregation and the future of the African American population to the surface of the nation. The Harlem Renaissance had a significant effect on the racist legislation and attitudes towards the African American communities. It sent larger political messages which pushed the idea through art, performance and literature. It empowered the African Americans to fight for equal rights and brought a community that was uncompromising. This led to them demanding the same protection in labour unions and the white American population. The Harlem Renaissance brought new art in 3 mediums: visual, literary and performance. Jacob Lawrence was a big part of the movement, with his series of paintings on the Great Migration. He explored the process, how life was for his community and the effects of the migration and left a lasting impact and education surrounding it. On the literary side, Alain LeRoy Locke was one of the most significant figures. He was dubbed as the “Father of the Harlem Renaissance” after his publication of The New Negro, which was a selection of poetry, essays, portraiture and music by both white and black artists. This publication resulted in Locke being the first African American