Harlem Renaissance · US History

Which of the following best explains why Harlem became the epicenter of African American culture in the 1920s?

  1. The federal government mandated that all Black immigrants live there
  2. The only New York City neighborhood where Black people could own homes
  3. A failed housing boom let Black families move into quality homes built for whites
  4. It was located near the shipping docks where most Southern migrants arrived
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Correct answer: A failed housing boom let Black families move into quality homes built for whites

In the early 1900s, overbuilding in Harlem led to high vacancy rates. Real estate agents, such as Philip Payton, began marketing the neighborhood to Black families, turning it into a thriving 'city within a city' by the 1920s.

Difficulty: Medium Question 14 of 20

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