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Describe the philosophy and strategies of the Niagara Movement. How did it differ from Washington’s way of thinking?

a. It focused on vocational training
b. Emphasized civil rights and equality
c. Advocated for political isolationism
d. Supported segregation

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The Niagara Movement, founded by W. E. B. Du Bois in 1905, emphasized immediate civil rights and equality for African Americans, contrasting with Booker T. Washington's approach that advocated vocational training within a segregated society.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Niagara Movement was a seminal African American civil rights organization formed by W. E. B. Du Bois and other black leaders in 1905. It marked a clear departure from the strategies of Booker T. Washington, who had urged patience and vocational training, advocating for adaptation within the segregated system. In contrast, the Niagara Movement's philosophy was to demand immediate political, economic, and social equality for African Americans. This entailed a call for universal suffrage, better educational opportunities, and an end to discriminatory practices like the convict lease system.

Du Bois and his colleagues drafted a "Declaration of Principles" at the Movement's first meeting, explicitly rejecting Washington’s approach of accommodation and gradualism. The Niagara Movement emphasized civil rights and laid the groundwork for future organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which Du Bois helped to found in 1909; this further solidified his role in the fight for equality. Their strategies did not involve political isolationism nor did they support segregation, thereby breaking with Washington's more conservative positions on these issues.

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