2.2.5
Migration Case Study: Harlem
Migration Case Study: Harlem
Migration Case Study: Harlem
In 1905 property in Harlem became very cheap because of a crash in the property market. This meant that anyone could afford a house there, regardless of their race. Black people migrated to Harlem in large numbers.
WW1
WW1
- Migration continued during WW1 because Harlem had big munition factories which needed lots of workers.
- Many of these workers were African American but some had also come from the West Indies.
- Between 1890 and 1920 New York’s black population grew from 70,000 to 200,000.
- As the black population grew in Harlem the white population dwindled.
African American community
African American community
- Harlem became a large black community and a base for the Civil Rights movement.
- Many leading activists resided in Harlem and large groups such as the NAACP being active in the area.
- Harlem became a hub for black culture and this period is known as the ‘Harlem Renaissance’.
- Theatres, clubs, jazz bars and nightclubs all displayed black culture.
The United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)
The United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)
- The United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) headquarters was based in Harlem from 1916.
- The UNIA was an association created to help the black urban population.
Marcus Garvey
Marcus Garvey
- Garvey, the leader of the UNIA attracted members with his slogan ‘black is beautiful’.
- Garvey held big street parades in Harlem which attracted many black people.
- His ideas about using armed resistance to defend black people frightened some black and white Americans.
- Nonetheless, his ideas struck a chord with many. Although Garvey was deported in 1927 his ideas continued to influence key individuals such as Malcolm X.
Philip Randolph
Philip Randolph
- Another prominent member of the activist groups in Harlem was Philip Randolph.
- Randolph encouraged black people to join labour unions and helped them to find jobs.
- In 1919, Randolph became President of the National Brotherhood of Workers of America which represented workers of the Virginia docks.
- In 1925, Randolph helped the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.
Problems in Harlem
Problems in Harlem
Black people were disproportionately negatively affected by the Great Depression.
Issues in Harlem
Issues in Harlem
- Race riots continued to plague Harlem as did poor relations between black people and the police.
- Black people also suffered from poor living conditions and low wages.
- A black child was twice as likely to die in childhood than a white child.
- Harlem was also affected by drug addiction, prostitution and crime, all commonly associated with poverty.
- Poverty was made worse for residents of Harlem when in 1929 the Wall Street Crash plunged the whole country into economic hardship.
The Great Depression, 1929-1933
The Great Depression, 1929-1933
- The Great Depression followed the 1929 Wall Street Crash.
- It was felt by the black people badly.
- Tens of thousands of people lost their farming jobs. In urban areas, black unemployment was up by 50%.
- Many black people were the first to be fired to protect white people.
Impact on richer black people
Impact on richer black people
- Many richer black people who owned property also suffered.
- Black ownership of property dropped by 30%.
1‘Free at Last’ 1865-77
1.1The Thirteenth Amendment
1.2Radical Reconstruction, 1867-77
2The Triumph of ‘Jim Crow’ 1883-c1890
2.1Jim Crow Laws & Civil Rights Cases
3The New Deal and Race Relations, 1933–41
3.1Failure to Address Black Grievances
3.2The New Deal
3.3The Second World War
4‘I have a dream’, 1954–68
4.1Civil Rights Activities, 1954–63
4.2Civil Rights 1964-68
4.3Malcolm X & The Black Panthers
5Obama's Campaign for the Presidency, 2004–09
5.1The Late 20th Century
5.2Barack Obama & his Political Career
5.3Reasons for Obama's Victory
Jump to other topics
1‘Free at Last’ 1865-77
1.1The Thirteenth Amendment
1.2Radical Reconstruction, 1867-77
2The Triumph of ‘Jim Crow’ 1883-c1890
2.1Jim Crow Laws & Civil Rights Cases
3The New Deal and Race Relations, 1933–41
3.1Failure to Address Black Grievances
3.2The New Deal
3.3The Second World War
4‘I have a dream’, 1954–68
4.1Civil Rights Activities, 1954–63
4.2Civil Rights 1964-68
4.3Malcolm X & The Black Panthers
5Obama's Campaign for the Presidency, 2004–09
5.1The Late 20th Century
5.2Barack Obama & his Political Career
5.3Reasons for Obama's Victory
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