Jamaican and US black nationalist leader. In 1914 Marcus Garvey along with Amy Ashwood founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). After moving to the United States in 1916, he established branches of the UNIA in New York's Harlem and many other ghettos all over the country. Garvey was black and he was proud of it. By 1919 the rising "Black Moses" claimed to have an enormous amount of followers at about 2 million. It was to these people Garvey spoke of a "new Negro," proud of being black. His newspaper Negro World, which was in circulation from 1919 to 1933 ("Encyclopedia of Black..." pg.342), stressed and believed, an independent black economy could exist within the framework of white capitalism. Garvey was one of the main people in establishing black-run businesses, one of which was the Black Star shipping line ("Marcus Garvey Timeline" pg.2). In 1920 he convened an international convention to unify blacks and encourage trade between Africa and the US. On September 10th, 1919 the British colonial secretary authorized the West Indian governments to introduce legislation to suppress The Negro World and other publications considered seditious. However all of Garvey's influence and power was shattered by accusations of mail fraud. Shortly thereafter Garvey was shot and wounded in an assassination attempt by George Tyler. Which sadly led to, in 1922, Garvey's influence declining rapidly for being indicted for mail fraud. After serving two years in prison his sentence was revoked and he was deported. This marked the collapse of the first important black-nationalist movement in the US.
Garvey was a very skilled man. His major contributions came in his ability to speak to a crowd and open up people's eyes. It was Garvey who instilled in the African American youth of the Harlem Renaissance a sense of unity with other blacks and taught them to be proud of who they were and proud of being black as he was. Not only was Garvey a skilled speaker but he was a skilled poet as well. He wrote hundreds of poems stating his beliefs and how he felt about the way the world was turning out. It is through these poems that one can see the man Garvey really was. Garvey's works and philosophy represent many things to many people. He believed in one god, one aim, and one destiny for his life ("Marcus Garvey Biography" p.1). His main aim was for the redemption of Africa and to this he devoted everything, as well as his personal life. Many of Garvey's ideas were influenced by the work of and efforts of Jamaican Dr. Robert Love. The two men were keen and active supporters of the dignity and uplift of Black women, particularly young Black girls. Garvey's believes came to carry on to many more significant leaders of the Harlem Renaissance.
Garvey had always wanted his voice and ideas to be heard. He was always hardworking and even began working at thirteen as an apprentice at his godfather's printing business in St. Ann's Bay, the town of his birth ("Marcus Garvey Timeline" pg.1). At the age of twenty-two Garvey got his first shot at reaching out to others and published Garvey's Watchman. However the paper ceased after its third issue. Three years later Garvey moved to London and got a high-class education at Birkbeck College ("Marcus Garvey Biography" p.1). After having many of his articles published in magazines such as the African Times and The Orient Review, Marcus Garvey began gaining more and more ears. His actions such as establishing The Black Star Line and the UNIA provided a solid amount of followers, which created a backbone for the Harlem Renaissance to expand on.
Through Garvey's actions, believes, and himself he created a role model for others to follow. He inspired many during an era not all that long ago. Marcus Garvey should be looked at as a grandfather figure in a sense because if it were not for him, there might not have been a Martin Luther King or Rosa Parks and racism could be at a total different level.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
I think Percy Lavon Julian is not only an important person in black history, but also in American and science history. He discovered a treatment for a serious disease, and should be recognized as a hardworking, perseverant person. He had struggles in getting the education he wanted, and was constantly tormented throughout his life because of his race; he not only overcame these obstacles, but went on to be great. I learned many lessons while researching this guy and that’s why I think he is important.…
- 317 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Today? Some but not a lot. Now we are joining and supporting with them. Finally, the Harlem Renaissance did affect the politics of the decades leading up to the civil rights movement of the 50s and 60s. Civil rights activist like WEB Dubois who…
- 144 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
reason for that is because his legacy is largely overshadowed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the…
- 2810 Words
- 12 Pages
Good Essays -
Dr. Martin luther king is one of the most famous civil rights activists in America to date. However, the importance of his legacy has been debated over how important really was he to the civil rights movement. I personally his movement was a key catalyst for the acquiring of equal civil rights in America.…
- 720 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Unlike other civil rights leaders Randolph’s accomplishments were getting noticed by the white and black community which made whites think he was very dangerous to them and the lifestyles they were use to living. I also feel that Randolph was considered one of the most dangerous black males in America because his speeches and the things he talked about really captivated the listeners and made…
- 546 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
This came to be known as the Harlem Renaissance and the spark to discrimination towards African immigrants. Native born Americans, clearly showed hatred toward blacks. In addition, in Chicago, July 1919, a white man erupted violence when he caused a teenage Negro, as they were called during this time, to drown in Lake Michigan by throwing rocks at him while swimming. The police refused to arrest anyone causing riots that continued for more than a week. Another threat to African Americans was the rebirth of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in 1915. This Klan seeked a 100 percent white America therefore they attacked many people but in particular they attacked African Americans to intimidate them. The Klan encouraged nativists and caused fear that the country was being overrun by immigrants so later the Immigration Act of 1924 was established reducing the immigration quota to two percent for each nationality except Asians. Soon after, the Red Scare took place causing the reduction of the Klan’s membership. In response, African Americans began forming organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), and the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). The NAACP was founded in 1910 to restrain racial violence. It helped create an antilynching campaign to reduce racial murders. The ADL was a work created by a group of Jews in 1913 to put an end to racial discrimination and also worked against the KKK. The UNIA was founded in 1914, by Marcus Garvey when he was deported to Jamaica for mail fraud. This organization’s intended purpose was for Garvey to proclaim his message of a “black nationalist” back in Africa. This movement was known as the Back to Africa Movement. The ACLU was founded in 1920 and was one of the last unions created to help defend constitutional rights, support labor…
- 639 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Throughout the black history there were three people who stood out as very influential people. These people go by the name of Vernon Johns, Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. Vernon Johns, Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks took stand and stood up for what they believed in. And what they all believed in was more black rights. Vernon Johns was a very stubborn and radical speaker. Martin Luther King Jr. was an honest motivational speaker. He spoke of peace and only wanted equality. And Rosa Parks was a very gutsy and stubborn person who was also passionate for equality. These people were very important on the Blacks victory of equality.…
- 872 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
The Harlem Renaissance was "an explosion of African-American talents and natural born gifts" (Harlem Renaissance: Re-examined 2). Although it was one of the most influential and impacting events when it came to advances in art, literature, entertainment and overall fun, many felt that the Harlem Renaissance itself wasn't so much a celebration of African-American culture, but rather a regurgitation of White principles. But no matter how big the Renaissance was African-Americans were still not accepted into mainstream America.…
- 408 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
This would be the advantage to migrating Blacks to the North who became employed, homeowners, and businessmen. The on-going fight to desegregate the South began in the North with African-Americans who understood their advantage and position in society. Common in the urban enclaves found an outlet for their alienation in a charismatic nationalist from Jamaica named Marcus Garvey. Nation of Nations A Narrative History of the American Republic Volume II: Since 1865 Chapters 17-32 6th Edition Page 704 His Universal Negro Improvement Association stressed self-help while demanding an end to colonialism in 1916-1924 by organizing mass movements of African-Americans back to…
- 1158 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
The Harlem Renaissance(Negro Movement) was during 1919-1929 in Harlem, New York. It was a time when African-Americans where able to express themselves through the arts. African-Americans fled from the south to the north because of unfair treatment. This “culture explosion” let African-Americans share their culture through music, literature, and art. A key figure during this time period is Duke Ellington. Duke Ellington was born April 29, 1899, in Washington, D.C. He was a famous jazz composer that played an important role in jazz history. He composed many songs on stage and performed at many night clubs. During the Harlem Renaissance African expressed themselves for the first time and Ellington helped in the music area. “Ellington created a blend of melodies, rhythms, and subtle sonic movements it was a complex yet accessible jazz.” As Ellington was conveying his own culture he was putting his own twist on the music.” Ellington became famous in the 1940s for the songs Concerto for Cootie “ , “ Cotton Tail” , and “Ko-Ko”. He also toured Europe twice in the 1930s.” Duke Ellington was part of the Harlem Renaissance because he was a jazz composer and he became famous for his wonderful music he created. He showed others his customs and culture through music. He wasn’t the only one their were many other jazz players during the Harlem Renaissance that wanted to express themselves.…
- 561 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
He believed that independence and African American self-reliance would make a difference in fight for civil rights. Garvey saw civil rights as a global problem and believed that, “Freedom that will give us a chance and opportunity to rise to the fullest of our ambition and that we cannot get in countries where other men rule and dominate (pg. 800).” Garvey’s beliefs were prompted by his anger and frustrations that African American soldiers, who had fought in battle in World War I, were returning home to inequality and prejudice with their valiant service being ignored and not rewarded (http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5122).Garvey was viewed by DuBois and other popular civil rights leaders as a crowd pleaser, whose extreme radical notions was an excellent ways to gather a crowd but provided no results. His beliefs, or garveyism, can be simplified as the idea of economic rise by independence and political equality by means of autonomy. Garvey’s movement was viewed as militant and was therefore viewed as aggressive and abrasive, which provided a backlash across the board including other prominent members of the civil rights movement. Garvey believed that returning to Africa, also known as Diaspora, would be most beneficial in order to promote racial separatism. Garvey even financially supported, along with other African Americans, the Black Star Line fleet of ships to encourage African Americans to travel back to Africa to create a black-led nation in Africa. The UNIA, which Garvey helped found, also assisted in diaspora and other movements that promoted racial purity…
- 1493 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
The leader we chose to do possess both transformational and motivational/influential characteristics of a leader. This leader motivated and transformed many lives, encouraging many African Americans to engage in more literature, writing, and reading. Langston Hughes, or by birth, James Mercer Langston Hughes impacted many live during the Harlem Renaissance Era. He was an African American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry who is best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance. He famously wrote about the period that "the Negro was in vogue" which later change into “when Harlem was in vogue.”…
- 2258 Words
- 10 Pages
Good Essays -
In the early 1900s there was a huge movement of over 6 million African American people from the South to the Northern states, this movement was known as the Great Migration. The Great Migration was huge in African American history because it was the setup for key changes in the lives of African American people. Black people had been so use to slavery and were not really finding jobs in the South so they figured that in the North they would have a better chance. Little did they know, life in the North was no happily ever after ; there was a struggle for jobs, shelter, making a living, and they still didn’t escape racism, but these trails and tribulation shaped the idea of the Harlem Renaissance.…
- 807 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
The Harlem Renaissance was one of the most important movements of the twentieth century regarding many art forms and human rights for African American People. It was not only important for African American People, but also, as few know, for this subculture of homosexuals, that began to shape during this time in Harlem, New York City. Eric Garber wrote:…
- 321 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Martin Luther King Jr who is most famous for his activist activities, being a pastor and a humanitarian and his involvements in the civil rights movement.…
- 818 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays