The Harlem Renaissance refers to a period of creativity by African Americans during which they became more visible in all areas of American life — politics, government, and business as well as arts and literature — than they had been before or since. It started with a burst of energy around World War I but lasted until about 1945 or 1950 (depending on how you define it). It was inspired by earlier movements that inspired African American artists such as the abolitionist movement and the Civil War.
The Harlem Renaissance was a time when many African Americans moved north from the South to cities like New York, Chicago, Detroit, and Philadelphia. They were escaping segregation and other discriminatory laws in their home states.
It was a time when African American artists, musicians, and writers created works that celebrated black culture and expressed African American identity. They created new art forms such as jazz music, poetry, dance, and literature at this time. The Harlem Renaissance was a response to racism and discrimination in the United States. It was centered in the Harlem neighborhood, which had been designated as an area for African Americans by New York City officials.
