The Resurgence Of Black Nationalism In The1920s: Implications Of The Great Migration

This paper, based on an analysis of shaping factors for the Great Migration, astudy of black migrants’ disillusionment in the North and a review of black nationalisttradition before the Great Migration, attempts to study the impact of the GreatMigration on Black Nationalism.The study first examines shaping factors for the Great Migration in Americanhistory and then points out that the making of blacks’ independent life, the awfulworking conditions of blacks and white racism towards black migrants call for analternative to the integration theory, which thus led to the resurgence of BlackNationalism. This thesis further explores the origins, development and eclipse ofBlack Nationalism before the Great Migration. Next, diverse strands of BlackNationalism are explored. Based on the black nationalist tradition as well as thelong-simmering Great Migration, Black Nationalism resurged in the1920s throughthe Garvey Movement. Also, the Harlem Renaissance, another expression of theresurgence of Black Nationalism, which was influenced by the Great Migration andthe Garvey Movement, is discussed. The study concludes with the enduring influenceof the resurgence of Black Nationalism.As a comprehensive research, this thesis aims to inquire into the correlationbetween the Great Migration and the resurgence of Black Nationalism and delves intoBlack Nationalism from a different perspective, which can contribute to theunderstanding of the development of black thought.