Progressive Movement Practice Exam

What did both Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois advocate for?

1. African Americans should have increased civil rights

2. Vocational training was the best approach to education

3. Immigration was responsible for racial segregation

4. Jim Crow laws were needed to help African Americans

The correct answer is: African Americans should have increased civil rights

Both Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois were pivotal figures in the early 20th century advocating for the rights and uplift of African Americans, albeit with differing philosophies and approaches. However, both ultimately sought increased civil rights for African Americans in the face of systemic racism and discrimination. Washington emphasized vocational training and economic self-sufficiency, believing that demonstrating value through economic success would lead to increased respect and rights for African Americans over time. While his approach was often seen as accommodating to the social status quo, it was still framed within the context of advocating for gradual progress and eventual civil rights. On the other hand, Du Bois championed a more immediate and radical approach, emphasizing the need for African Americans to take a stand against injustices and fight for civil rights, including political activism and higher education. He was a founding member of the NAACP and was deeply committed to demanding full equality and challenging discriminatory practices. The advocacy for civil rights was a key area of consensus between these two leaders, whereby they both recognized the need for political, social, and cultural advancement for African Americans, with the ultimate goal of dismantling the oppressive structures imposed by racism. Thus, the advocacy for increased civil rights aligns with the broader goals they both