The Harlem Renaissance
An African American cultural
movement of the 1920s and early 1930s
that was centered in the Harlem
neighborhood of New York City.
Beginnings
•Emerged from social and intellectual turmoil in
the African American community of Harlem in
the early 1920s.
•Fostered by a new black middle class that
developed after the turn of the century.
Three Big Points:
•The National Urban League held a dinner to
recognize the new literary talent in the black
community
•Carl Van Vechten’s book brought awareness
from blacks and whites from New York City to
Harlem’s nightlife.
•Fire!! A Harlem publication was started in
1926
Characteristics
 Gave artistic
expression to
African Americans.
 Expressed in
paintings, literature,
music, and theater.
 Jazz emerged
 Appealed to mixed
crowds, that is, all
races.
 Pushed open doors of
mainstream
publishing.
 In the end, African
American literature
and music were
accepted by whites
and are, today, still
accepted by all
races.
Themes
 Interest in African and American
South root
 Racial pride
 Desire for social and political
equality.
 Diversity of expression
Works of the Harlem Renaissance
Harlem Shadows (novel)
 The Weary Blues(novel)

 “Heritage”(poetry)
Their Eyes Were Watching God(novel)
 “My Heart”(music)

 “Black Water Blues”(music)
 “Jungle Nights in Harlem”(music)

Not Without Laughter(novel)
People of the Harlem
Renaissance
•L A N G S T O N H U G H E S
•C L A U D E M C K A Y
•Z O R A N E A L H U R S T O N
•B E S S I E S M I T H
•L O U I S A R M S T R O N G
•D U K E E L L I N G T O N
•W . E . B . D U B O I S
•M E A D E L U X L E W I S
•P A U L L A U R E N C E D U N B A R
•C O U N T E E C U L L E N
•J O H N C O L T R A N E
•B I L L I E H O L I D A Y
The Jazz Age
Noun: heyday of jazz: the era that
immediately followed world war I and
lasted until the beginning of the
d e p r e s s i on , d u r i n g w h i c h j a z z
increased in popularity. It was a
reaction to the austerity and hardship
of the war and was characterized by
extravagance and hedonism.
•Jazz is a type of
music started by
African Americans
•It was usually
played in small
dance bands or by
solo pianists.
•The most
influential jazz
musician is Louis
Armstrong.
Characteristics
•The Jazz Age is the era in the 1920s and
early 1930s.
•It emerged from the Harlem Renaissance.
•It centered in Chicago and New York City.
•Big Band started during the Jazz Age.
• The Charleston was a popular dance
•Women cut their hair, wore make-up, and
shorter dresses
Resources
 http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861692684/jaz
z_age.html
 http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761560708/J
azz.html
 http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/categ
ory/musc.html
 http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761566483/
Harlem_Renaissance.html