World War I played a major role in the birth of the Harlem Renaissance. First, the war created new opportunities for African Americans to join the military. The article states that "the war years saw a massive northward migration of African Americans from southern states to northern industrial cities in search of work and to escape Jim Crow laws." The African American population in northern cities increased significantly.
Second, the war created African Americans' disillusionment and desire for change. The article notes that "many African-American soldiers returned home after the war to find that the America they fought for was still deeply segregated and racist." This realization fueled a desire for change and led to the cultural and intellectual awakening of the Harlem Renaissance.
Overall, World War I played a crucial role in the birth of the Harlem Renaissance, creating new opportunities for African Americans, fostering a sense of disillusionment and a desire for change.