African Americans in New York City began moving to the Harlem area in about 1900. They were eager to move out of the West Side of Manhattan because of the overcrowded apartment buildings and increasing hostility from white neighbors. Harlem had a surplus of apartments, and so landlords were eager to welcome African American tenants. When African-American churches began to relocate to Harlem as well, the population of African Americans became solidly established and continued to grow.
Segregation was widespread in the North as well as the South in the early 1900s. African Americans were banned from many white-owned businesses, including restaurants and hotels. As a result, African Americans started their own businesses to draw on the large number of potential customers in their neighborhood. Among the most successful businesses were nightclubs that featured jazz and blues.
Answer choices for the above question
A. Harlem became an oasis for African Americans in a country with widespread policies of racism.
B. Harlem was one of many northern cities that sheltered African Americans from the racism of the South.
C. Harlem offered some of the most affordable housing in the North.
D. More African Americans lived in Harlem than any other city in the United States.
1 answer