Harlem Renaissance Research Paper

The Harlem Renaissance is one of the most prominent moments in history in which we can witness African American culture in the United States. The Harlem Renaissance started as the development of the Harlem neighborhood in New York City as a cultural mecca for African Americans. The movement quickly became an explosion of social and artistic expression. Lasting from the 1910s to the mid- 1930s, the Harlem Renaissance, is often considered the Golden Age in African American culture. For most of the country this was the first time that any minority had brought so much attention to their culture.

This “Golden Age” manifested itself mainly through the literature, music, stage performance, and art. Some of the most influential African American artists,

The neighborhood of Harlem in northern-Manhattan was intended to be an upper-class white neighborhood. But, rapid overdevelopment created a problem of too many empty buildings. As the landlords became desperate to fill in the buildings a movement was started. In the early 1900s, multiple middle-class African Americans found themselves moving into this neighborhood as it became affordable. Soon after, outside factors, such as natural disasters, found more and more African Americans moving into the neighborhood. One of the largest contributing factors was the outbreak of Boll Weevils in the south.

This great combination of African American families is what really jump started the movement. Cultures that been lost over generations were being reintroduced through music, dance, and other art forms. In this time fo growth several figures became prominent. Often they were the first African Americans to become popular doing their particular job. Poets such as Claude Mckay and Jean Toamer became increasingly popular. Artists such as Aaron Douglas and the sculptor Meta Warrick Fuller, began to explore African themes in their works. Many of these prominent figures are still remembered today as the best of the

However, it was not really the people that made this cultural movement so large. It was the culture they all represented. The culture that still surrounds African Americans in our society today. This what the Harlem Renaissance was all about. It is also why the people listed previously are such noteworthy figures in American history. Instead of expressing themselves they expressed an entire culture.

Works Cited

Source 1: “Langston Hughes.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/langston-hughes.

Source 2: Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Lois Mailou Jones.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 15 Mar. 2016, www.britannica.com/biography/Lois-Mailou-Jones.

Source 3: Ellington, Edward "Duke" (1899-1974) | The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed, www.blackpast.org/aah/ellington-edward-duke-1899-1974.

Source 4: The Harlem Renaissance(You Choose)

Source 5: History.com Staff. “Harlem Renaissance.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2009, www.history.com/topics/black-history/harlem-renaissance.

Source 6: “The Harlem Renaissance.” Ushistory.org, Independence Hall Association, www.ushistory.org/us/46e.asp.

Source 7: “Harlem Renaissance.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 23 Jan. 2018,