Harlem Renaissance

New Orleans if known for its French influenced culture. San Francisco is known for the Golden Gate. Harlem…it’s the renaissance. Have you ever wondered why certain cities are known for what they are? Well, my main focus today is the city of Harlem. After thorough research, I have found numerous reasons why Harlem was a hotbed in the roaring 20’s. Harlem, not any other city, is known for its renaissance, and it is these papers in your hand that will tell you why.

The years between WWI and the Great Depression were boom times for the United States, and jobs were opening up everywhere. The United States was called upon to manufacture munitions and other supplies for the war effort. Many immigrant workers had returned to fight in their native lands and the war halted the flow of new immigrants. The shortage of workers was filled by the black citizens in the South. There was over a million and a half black people from the rural south that moved to the industrial north hoping to snag one of the many opening jobs. Many, including 50 thousand blacks from the West Indies, settled in Harlem.

The development of Harlem came at a perfect time. At the turn of the century, Harlem had been overbuilt with new apartment