Origin of the Harlem Renaissance

                The Harlem Renaissance, also known as the New Negro Movement, took place during the 1920s and 1930s.  This was the period after World War I and before the Great Depression.  These years were good times for the United States; the jobs, especially in the North, were plentiful.  Many African-Americans took advantage of this increase in jobs and migrated to the urban areas of the North.  About 175,000 African-Americans migrated to the 3 sq. mi. of the Harlem section of Manhattan, New York, turning the neighborhood into the largest concentration of black people in the world.  During the Harlem Renaissance, jazz music, African-American art, and black literature became known.   Some African-Americans launched their careers as writers and musical artists and helped form what is known as the Harlem Renaissance.  The Harlem Renaissance came to an end in 1935, marking the end of an era.

[By: Alessandra Thompson]

Works Cited

Brunner, Beth Rowen & Borgna. "The Birth of the Harlem Renaissance: History & Timeline — Infoplease.com." Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free online reference, research & homework help. — Infoplease.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2010. http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmharlem1.html#ixzz11VAY8hNt.

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"What was the Harlem Renaissance?." wiseGEEK. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2010. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-was-the-harlem-renaissance.htm.