1930's And Rsquo Analysis

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In their quest to achieve equality and acceptance in American society in the 1920’s and 1930’s Black Americans experienced both positive and negative consequences. This essay intends to focus on both the positive and negative achievements of this group during this period of history. In this essay a brief summary of the general, social economic and political standards during this time period will also be given. During this time period (1920’s-1930’s) the United States of America (USA) went through massive changes economically, socially and politically and became a multi cultural modern nation. However, at the same time, racial tensions grew to a high and people were often judged by the colour of their skin or place of…show more content…
For example, during this point in time, Harlem became known for its rent parties. Rent parties were parties in which residents would pay money to gain entry into a house where illegal moonshine was served. The money the host gained from the entry fee would pay for their rent, hence the name rent party. This occurrence indicates the high level of poverty in America during this time period. Even though Harlem was mostly populated by the African-American community they could still not escape the racial segregation that the white Landlords showed them. During this time the white landlords would charge African Americans significantly more rent then they would to a white renter. However throughout the 1920’s, 118 792 white people left the area of Harlem and 87 417. This was due to the Jim Crow Laws being passed and an uprising of the Klu Klux Klan in the south. Even though being a slum, Harlem was considered the spiritual home for African Americans alike, all over…show more content…
In the article titled “The Roaring Twenties” Wikipedia states that “…the majority of people listened to what we would call today "sweet music", with hardcore jazz categorized as "hot music" or "race music." …”. Jazz was seen in the 1920’s and 1930’s as something that unified both cultures together. Though African Americans were not allowed in Jazz clubs during this time, Jazz music played a pivotal roll in African Americans earning acceptance into white society and culture. When Louis Armstrong began playing Jazz music in white clubs this was seen as a major step in earning acceptance into white society. Closely related to the increase in popularity of Jazz music was also an increase in the proliferation of dance studios. The advent of prohibition in 1920 also separated dancing and drinking to a certain extent, and made dancing more socially respectable. One author argues that Harlem played a key role in the development of dance styles. People from all walks of life, all races and classes came together. The Cotton Club, for example, featured black performers and catered to a white clientele, while the Savoy Ballroom catered to a mostly black clientele. From the 1920s a variety of dances also developed. Examples of these were the Charleston and the Breakaway. Both were based on African-American musical styles and
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