Final answer:
W.E.B. Du Bois was a critical leader who fought for equal rights for African Americans, distinguishing himself by advocating for political activism and leading the foundation of the NAACP as well as participating in the Niagara Movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The early 20th-century African American civil rights landscape was shaped by important leaders, such as W.E.B. Du Bois, who advocated for equal rights and political activism. Du Bois emerged as a strong proponent against the more accommodating strategies advised by Booker T. Washington. His formation of the NAACP in 1909 and involvement in the Niagara Movement became instrumental in holding legal battles and organizing protests to end segregation and racial violence. This activism laid the groundwork for the modern civil rights movement, influencing future leaders like Martin Luther King Jr.