Final answer:
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural revival of African American arts in Harlem during the 1920s to mid-1930s. Influenced by the Great Migration, key figures like W.E.B. Du Bois and Langston Hughes contributed to a movement that challenged racial stereotypes and paved the way for civil rights. This period ended with the Great Depression but left a lasting legacy in American art and civil rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Harlem Renaissance: A Cultural Awakening, The Harlem Renaissance was an intellectual, social, and artistic explosion centered in Harlem, New York, spanning the 1920s to the mid-1930s. It signified a rebirth of African American arts and was deeply intertwined with the social and political issues of the time, particularly civil rights.
The renaissance was precipitated by the Great Migration, where African Americans moved from the rural South to the urban North, seeking better opportunities and escaping the harsh conditions of Jim Crow laws. This migration led to a concentration of talent and intellect in Harlem, fostering an environment where artists, writers, and musicians could flourish.
The movement saw key contributions from figures like W.E.B. Du Bois, Langston Hughes, and Zora Neale Hurston, who brought forth literature, poetry, and ideas that challenged prevailing racial stereotypes. Jazz icons like Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday provided a soundtrack to this cultural awakening.
The Harlem Renaissance reshaped African American identity and pride, setting the stage for the later Civil Rights Movement. It also had a profound effect on all of American art and culture, changing perceptions and laying foundations for future artistic endeavors.
Nevertheless, the onset of the Great Depression marked the decline of the Harlem Renaissance, as economic hardships affected the entire nation, including the vibrant community in Harlem. Despite its end, the renaissance left a lasting impact, altering how African Americans were perceived globally and challenging the racist ideologies of the time.