Civics: W.E.B. Du Bois vs. Washington Research

Booker T. Washington was born into slavery during the mid-1800s. Washington's educational background and early career, as well as, his eventual leadership role at the Tuskegee Institute is discussed in this article.

This encyclopedia article provides an extensive look into Du Bois's childhood, educational influences, writing career, and scholarly works. Du Bois's opposition to Booker T. Washington's ideas is further discussed, in addition to the establishment of the Niagra Movement and the formation of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). Du Bois continued to publish several works maintaining his reputation as a prominent writer. The article further discusses Du Bois's interest in Pan-Africanism and socialism, as well as, his role in the Peace Information Center later in life.

William Jordan, a historian and history teacher at Phillips Exeter Academy asserted that Washington's plan did not work. Jordan's arguments focused on deteriorating race relations at the end of the 19th century as demonstrated through lynchings and violent protests, as well as, the disenfranchisement of Black voters in the United States. Robert Allison, a historian and history professor at Suffolk University supported Washington's plan. Allison argued that Washington was a talented politician whose gradual approach toward racial equality was an effective strategy for the Tuskegee Institute.

W.E.B. Du Bois's "The Talented Tenth" essay can be found in the attached physical book linked through the St. Mary's online catalog. A PDF full-text copy of the speech is also provided below. ISBN: 9781544682655

Booker T. Washington's "The Atlanta Compromise" speech can be found in the physical book linked through the St. Mary's online catalog. A PDF full-text copy of the speech is provided below.