DuBois v. Washington
During the Gilded Age, many laws designed to oppress African-Americans were enacted throughout the South. These laws, called the Jim Crow laws, forced poll taxes and literacy tests in order to vote. In 1896, the Supreme Court in Plessy v. Ferguson ruled that racial segregation was legal as long as both facilities were equal. In response to black discrimination, Booker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois stepped to the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement. Until the start of the twentieth century, both men had similar viewpoints. They believed that by providing industrial training to blacks, whites would create jobs for them. Once whites became dependent on black labor, the blacks could negotiate for more rights. At the start of the twentieth century, DuBois transformed his philosophy to one of immediate equality instead of Washington's belief of gradual equality. The Civil Rights strategy of Booker T. Washington was more practical than the method proposed by W.E.B. DuBois. First, Washington was able to relate to the economic and social conditions and needs of most black Americans while DuBois understood the needs of the elite blacks. Then, Washington gained the respect of whites while DuBois constantly harassed their mor
Washington gained the respect of whites while DuBois constantly harassed their moral views. On September 18, 1895, at the Opening of the Cotton States and International Exposition at Atlanta, Georgia, Booker T. Washington delivered a speech known as the Atlanta Compromise. In this speech, Washington stated that the blacks would "interlace our industrial, commercial, civil, and religious life with yours in a way that shall make the interests of both races one. In all things that are purely social we can be a separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress" (Document D). Washington stated that the blacks wanted to work for their former owners. They would accept racial segregation but still contribute to the growing economy of the South. This offer gained praise and acceptance from whites and blacks around the nation including President Grover Cleveland. In a letter to Washington, Cleveland stated, "Your words cannot fail to delight an encourage all who wish well for your race. I thank you with much enthusiasm for making the address" (http://history.acusd.edu/gen/WW2Timeline/HOYT/expospeech.html). In response to Washington's speech, black lynching lowered because of white acceptance (Document C). Without the respect of the whites, Washington could not hope to achieve his goals. In contrast, DuBois continued to disrespect the white people of the South, preaching hate towards whites whenever he could. Washington gained the respect of whites while DuBois constantly harassed their moral views. The Civil Rights strategy of Booker T. Washington was more practical than the method proposed by W.E.B. DuBois. First, Washington was able to r
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Approximate Word count = 1142
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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