Marcus GarveyMarcus GarveyMarcus Mosiah Garvey was born in St. Marcus Mosiah Garvey was born in St.

Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, in 1887.Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, in 1887.His father was a well-read man of maroon His father was a well-read man of maroon

descent; his mother a modest Christian.descent; his mother a modest Christian.Garvey moved to Kingston, worked as a Garvey moved to Kingston, worked as a

journalist, and became involved in politics.journalist, and became involved in politics.By 1910 Garvey was traveling around to By 1910 Garvey was traveling around to

Caribbean and Latin American plantations.Caribbean and Latin American plantations.Fueled by desire to help fellow blacks.Fueled by desire to help fellow blacks.

Marcus GarveyMarcus GarveyGarvey traveled to Garvey traveled to

England, attended England, attended Birbeck college, and Birbeck college, and spoke out (on a Hyde spoke out (on a Hyde Park corner) about Park corner) about the poor conditions the poor conditions of West Indians.of West Indians.

In London he read In London he read Booker T. Booker T. Washington’s Washington’s Up From SlaveryUp From Slavery..

Marcus GarveyMarcus Garvey““Where is the Black man’s government, Where is the Black man’s government,

where is his king and kingdom? Where is where is his king and kingdom? Where is his president, his country, and his his president, his country, and his ambassador, his army, his navy, his men ambassador, his army, his navy, his men of big affairs? I could not find them and I of big affairs? I could not find them and I declared I would help to make them.”declared I would help to make them.”

Garvey returned to Jamaica in 1914 and Garvey returned to Jamaica in 1914 and founded the Universal Negro founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association. Its motto was Improvement Association. Its motto was “One God! One Aim! One Destiny!”“One God! One Aim! One Destiny!”

Marcus GarveyMarcus GarveyGarvey sought to Garvey sought to

create an institute create an institute like Tuskegee, but like Tuskegee, but found little interest found little interest from young from young Jamaicans.Jamaicans.

Garvey went to NY in Garvey went to NY in 1916; embarked on 5 1916; embarked on 5 month, 38 state tour, month, 38 state tour, and in 1918 and in 1918 established a UNIA established a UNIA branch in Harlem. branch in Harlem.

Marcus Marcus GarveyGarvey

NY had Black Cross NY had Black Cross nurses, legions, and nurses, legions, and other divisions other divisions celebrating celebrating blackness and racial blackness and racial pride at UNIA pride at UNIA parades.parades.

““We must liberate We must liberate ourselves.” ourselves.”

Marcus GarveyMarcus GarveyTheThe Declaration of Declaration of

Rights of the Negro Rights of the Negro PeoplesPeoples of the of the World was written World was written in the 1920.in the 1920.

The same The same convention also convention also produced the produced the Universal Ethiopian Universal Ethiopian AnthemAnthem and the and the red, black, and red, black, and green African flag.green African flag.

Marcus GarveyMarcus GarveyIn 1920 Garvey staged a UNIA In 1920 Garvey staged a UNIA

convention in New York.convention in New York.The event attracted 25,000 black The event attracted 25,000 black

‘‘GarveyitesGarveyites’ ’ from around the world. from around the world.

Delegates (not just Garvey) wore Delegates (not just Garvey) wore military regalia and appeared to military regalia and appeared to onlookers as “an African onlookers as “an African government in exile.”government in exile.”

Marcus GarveyMarcus GarveyThe largest endeavor of the UNIA was the The largest endeavor of the UNIA was the

Black Star Steamship Line.Black Star Steamship Line.The Black Star was intended to provide The Black Star was intended to provide

means for blacks to return to Africa.means for blacks to return to Africa.Was also going to enable black people to Was also going to enable black people to

exchange goods on the Atlantic.exchange goods on the Atlantic.

Marcus Marcus GarveyGarvey

““The UNIA employs The UNIA employs 1000s of black girls and 1000s of black girls and black boys. Girls who black boys. Girls who could only be washer could only be washer women in your home, women in your home, we made clerks….. You we made clerks….. You will see from the start will see from the start we tried to dignify our we tried to dignify our race.” race.”

Marcus GarveyMarcus GarveyIn 1920 The Black In 1920 The Black

Star Line sold stock Star Line sold stock for $5 a share; for $5 a share; Garvey used this Garvey used this money to purchase money to purchase three ships—The three ships—The YarmouthYarmouth, the , the KanawhaKanawha, and the , and the Booker T. Booker T. WashingtonWashington. .

MarcusMarcus GarveyGarveyThe Black Star Line never transported The Black Star Line never transported

anyone to Africa.anyone to Africa.Garvey was most likely aware it was Garvey was most likely aware it was

unrealistic to have all blacks in the unrealistic to have all blacks in the Western hemisphere move to Africa.Western hemisphere move to Africa.

He did truly believe that the UNIA He did truly believe that the UNIA would help end colonialism in Africa.would help end colonialism in Africa.

The UNIA sought settlements in Liberia The UNIA sought settlements in Liberia and Tanzania; Britain, France, and the and Tanzania; Britain, France, and the United States kept these plans from United States kept these plans from coming to fruition. coming to fruition.

Marcus GarveyMarcus Garvey

Marcus GarveyMarcus GarveyHoover and the Bureau of Investigation Hoover and the Bureau of Investigation

infiltrated the Universal Negro infiltrated the Universal Negro Improvement Association.Improvement Association.

The black agents obtained information The black agents obtained information with the aim of deporting Garvey, who with the aim of deporting Garvey, who never became an American citizen.never became an American citizen.

Garvey was indicted on fraudulent use of Garvey was indicted on fraudulent use of the mail to sell the mail to sell Black StarBlack Star stock. stock.

In 1927 President Coolidge deported him.In 1927 President Coolidge deported him.

Marcus GarveyMarcus GarveyMarcus Garvey was never allowed to Marcus Garvey was never allowed to

return to the United States.return to the United States.He died in 1940 in London, England. He died in 1940 in London, England. The UNIA basically died when Garvey The UNIA basically died when Garvey

left.left.However the energy and memory of However the energy and memory of

the man live on to this day.the man live on to this day.The Reverend Earl Little ended his The Reverend Earl Little ended his

meetings quoting Garvey’s famous meetings quoting Garvey’s famous command “Up you mighty race, you command “Up you mighty race, you can accomplish anything.” can accomplish anything.”

Marcus GarveyMarcus GarveyThe Jamaican Rastafarian The Jamaican Rastafarian

movement and the movement and the Nation of Islam grew out Nation of Islam grew out of and have been of and have been influenced by the UNIA.influenced by the UNIA.

Jamaica named Garvey Jamaica named Garvey its first national hero.its first national hero.

Black Man Black Man and and Negro Negro WorldWorld continued continued publication into the publication into the 1930s. 1930s.

Marcus Garvey Marcus Garvey Further ReadingFurther Reading

The African-The African-American Odyssey American Odyssey

The African-The African-American CenturyAmerican Century

AfricanaAfricanaPBS.ORGPBS.ORG