origin

Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan where is a center expends influences of Harlem Culture. The vibration of Harlem Culture spanned the 1920s and 1930s, and also is known as the "New Negro Movement". The cultural movement shepherded by Harlem causes pervasive impacts; hence, let’s take a look at the origin of Harlem and then infer why it can affect to American culture.

The term “Harlem” origins from a Dutch village, it is named after the city of “Haarlem” in the Netherlands. Previously, Harlem was a small agricultural town not far from New York City; a native tribe was living on this area. As early as 1880, small groups of black people lived in Harlem, especially in the area around 125th Street and "Negro tenements" on West 130th Street.
 

125th Street

  


West 130th Street

 

In the nineteenth century, Harlem had been built as an exclusive suburb with dignified houses, grand avenues and recreate facilities such as the Polo Grounds and an opera house for the white middle and upper middle classes. However, the native white middle-class abandoned this district because the enormous settlement of European immigrants in the late nineteenth century; therefore, Harlem became an African-American neighborhood since then.



Polo Grounds



        The abolition of slavery catalyzed the changes in African American community and these were social and cultural consequences in early 20th century United States. World War I caused industrialization and attracting people to cities from rural areas and gave rise to a new mass culture, the Great Migration of African Americans to northern cities contributed to the Harlem Renaissance. Harlem Renaissance caused an outpouring of artistic, professional works and brand style of music in the American black community.

        Harlem has become a heartland of African-American residential, cultural, and business center. The cultural effect of Harlem began during the 1920s and 1930s. Following the historical trend, the Harlem Renaissance has developed and influenced various realms so far. Hence, knowing Harlem Culture is a first step to understand black culture in America.

References:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlem_Renaissance#Music

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlem#Politics_and_activism_in_Harlem
3. http://www.wretch.cc/blog/bassistwei/4449924