How the Harlem Renaissance Shaped American Culture

CrashCourse

This episode of Crash Course Black American History explores the Harlem Renaissance, a pivotal cultural movement spanning from the end of World War I through the mid-1930s. The video examines how the Great Migration and the political climate of the era created the conditions for an explosion of Black artistic expression in Harlem and other urban centers. It details how this period redefined how the world viewed African Americans and how African Americans viewed themselves. The content covers three main pillars of the Renaissance: visual arts, literature, and music. Viewers are introduced to key figures such as sculptor Richmond Barthé, photographer James VanDerZee, and literary giants like Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Claude McKay. The video also highlights the diverse philosophical approaches within the movement, contrasting artists who sought to portray "respectable" Black life with those who insisted on authentic, raw depictions of the working-class experience. This resource is invaluable for history and ELA classrooms as it connects social history with artistic output. It provides a framework for understanding how art serves as both a reflection of society and a tool for political change. Teachers can use this video to introduce the Roaring Twenties, explore the intersection of art and activism, or anchor units on African American literature and poetry.