Final answer:
During the Seed Years, the SEB and GEB, with contributions from philanthropies like the Rockefeller Foundation, promoted education in the South, leading to the establishment of institutions like the Rosenwald Schools. Civil rights efforts advanced the pursuit of education, despite enduring systemic obstacles. These early 20th-century actions significantly shaped policymaking and educational opportunities for African Americans.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the "Seed Years", the Southern Education Board (SEB) and the General Education Board (GEB), with funding from philanthropists like John D. Rockefeller through the Rockefeller Foundation, played instrumental roles in advancing public education in the American South. Their actions included the investment in schools for Blacks, support for public high schools, and health campaigns such as eradicating hookworm. Furthermore, the Rosenwald Schools were established following the Progressive Era philosophy, providing standardized educational facilities and realization of libraries in African American communities. These combined efforts led to a significant impact on education during the early 20th century, making the Conference for Education in the South an influential force in policymaking.
Civil rights activism and the determination for educational advancement among freedpeople were also pivotal, as exemplified by activists urging the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to support direct action campaigns. Meanwhile, in informal settings, freedpeople such as slaves learning to read the Bible demonstrated a deep-seated desire for education, using whatever limited opportunities available to them.
Despite the gains, challenges persisted, with industrial education becoming the predominant curriculum for Black students and the federal government being excluded from Black education. Nonetheless, these formative years planted seeds of change, fostering a legacy of educational pursuit among African Americans despite systemic barriers.