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Marcus Garvey

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Marcus Mosiah Garvey Jr. was a major political activist.

Garvey Statue
Garvey Statue

He was a black nationalist and a Pan-Africanist. Pan-Africanism is the idea that people of African descent should be united. He founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association, or UNIA.

Flag of the UNIA
Flag of the UNIA

Through this group, he declared himself the Provisional President of Africa. His specific political ideas are often called Garveyism. These ideas focused on racial pride and independence. He wanted to create a strong, unified Africa.

Garvey was born on August 17, 1887, in Saint Ann's Bay, Jamaica.

Garvey Statue
Garvey Statue

His family was part of the petite bourgeoise. This means they were moderately prosperous compared to many neighbors. His father, Malchus Garvey, worked as a stonemason. His mother, Sarah Richards, was a domestic servant. As a teenager, Marcus learned the print trade through an apprenticeship. He later moved to Kingston to work in printing. He eventually became a foreman at a manufacturing company.

His early career involved significant social struggle. In 1907, a major earthquake hit Kingston. This disaster destroyed much of the city. Garvey and his family had to sleep outside for months. In 1908, he became a trade unionist. He led a strike for print workers. However, the strike failed and he lost his job. These events made him angry about inequality in Jamaica. He began joining nationalist groups to fight for change.

Garvey traveled to many different places. He worked in Costa Rica on a banana plantation. He also worked in Panama and England.

British Museum from NE 2 (cropped)
British Museum from NE 2 (cropped)

In London, he studied at the British Museum. He also took law classes at Birkbeck College. While in London, he read a book by Booker T. Washington. This book influenced his views on racial progress. He eventually returned to Jamaica in 1914. There, he officially launched the UNIA.

In 1916, Garvey moved to the United States. He established a large UNIA branch in Harlem, New York.

Marcus Garvey speaking at Liberty Hall, Harlem, 1920
Marcus Garvey speaking at Liberty Hall, Harlem, 1920

He wanted black people to be financially independent. To do this, he started several businesses. He launched the Negro Factories Corporation. He also published the Negro World newspaper.

NegroWorld-July31-1920
NegroWorld-July31-1920

In 1919, he became president of the Black Star Line. This was a shipping company for passengers. It aimed to connect North America to Africa.

Black Star Line brochure for the SS Phyllis Wheatley
Black Star Line brochure for the SS Phyllis Wheatley

Garvey's work brought both fame and deep division. He promoted black separatism, which means keeping races apart. This caused conflict with leaders like W. E. B. Du Bois. Du Bois believed in racial integration instead. In 1923, Garvey faced a legal crisis. He was convicted of mail fraud regarding the Black Star Line.

Black Star Line Stock Certificate
Black Star Line Stock Certificate

He served nearly two years in a prison in Atlanta.

Federal Penitentiary Atlanta 1920 postcard
Federal Penitentiary Atlanta 1920 postcard

After his sentence, he was deported to Jamaica in 1927.

Garvey spent his final years in Europe. He moved to London in 1935. He lived there until he died in 1940.

MARCUS GARVEY 1887-1940 Pan-Africanist Leader lived and died here
MARCUS GARVEY 1887-1940 Pan-Africanist Leader lived and died here

In 1964, his body was returned to Jamaica. He was buried in Kingston's National Heroes Park. He is the first person recognized as a national hero in Jamaica. His legacy remains a subject of intense debate among historians.

Many people find his life very inspiring. He encouraged pride during times of great discrimination. His ideas influenced the Rastafari movement. They also influenced the Nation of Islam. Even the Black Power Movement was shaped by his thoughts.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

While some critics called him a demagogue, many saw him as a leader. He helped people find self-worth in a difficult world.

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🖼️ Images & Media (18)
File:Garvey Statue.jpg
Garvey Statue.jpg
File:British Museum from NE 2 (cropped).JPG
British Museum from NE 2 (cropped).JPG
File:Flag of the UNIA.svg
Flag of the UNIA.svg
File:NegroWorld-July31-1920.jpg
NegroWorld-July31-1920.jpg
File:Marcus Garvey speaking at Liberty Hall, Harlem, 1920.png
Marcus Garvey speaking at Liberty Hall,...
File:UNIA parade in Harlem, 1920.jpg
UNIA parade in Harlem, 1920.jpg
File:Black Star Line Stock Certificate.jpg
Black Star Line Stock Certificate.jpg
File:Prinz Oskar hapag.jpg
Prinz Oskar hapag.jpg
File:Marcus Garvey with Amy Jacques Garvey, 1922.png
Marcus Garvey with Amy Jacques Garvey, 1922.png
File:Black Star Line brochure for the SS Phyllis Wheatley.jpg
Black Star Line brochure for the SS...
File:Marcus Garvey 1924-08-05.jpg
Marcus Garvey 1924-08-05.jpg
File:Federal Penitentiary Atlanta 1920 postcard.jpg
Federal Penitentiary Atlanta 1920 postcard.jpg

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