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Difficulty: MediumBooker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois Debate

In his 1903 work *The Souls of Black Folk*, W.E.B. Du Bois wrote the following concerning Booker T. Washington's leadership:

'So far as Mr. Washington preaches Thrift, Patience, and Industrial Training for the masses, we must hold up his hands and strive with him... But so far as Mr. Washington apologizes for injustice, North or South, does not value the privilege and duty of voting, belittles the higher training and aspirations of our sons... we must unceasingly and firmly oppose them.'

Which of the following statements best characterizes the nature of the intellectual debate between W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington as reflected in this passage?

  1. A
    They stood in absolute opposition to each other's educational philosophies, with Du Bois rejecting vocational training entirely and Washington opposing all forms of higher education.
  2. B
    Du Bois believed that political agitation was unnecessary and that economic accumulation alone would dismantle segregation, while Washington advocated for immediate legal challenges to Jim Crow laws.
  3. They agreed on the necessity of economic self-reliance and community advancement, but differed on whether civil rights and classical education were immediate rights or long-term goals.Answer
  4. D
    Washington championed the immediate establishment of the Niagara Movement to demand political equality, while Du Bois focused on using Tuskegee Institute to train a cohort of elite intellectual leaders.

Answer

The debate between the two figures was characterized by a shared commitment to the economic advancement of African Americans, alongside a sharp disagreement over whether political rights and higher education should be demanded immediately or pursued gradually after economic stability was achieved.
The correct answer accurately captures how Du Bois supported Washington's efforts in vocational and industrial training, but strongly opposed Washington's political accommodation and compromise on civil rights and classical education. This reflects their shared goal of racial advancement alongside distinct strategies regarding the prioritization of political power and higher education.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the passage provided in the stem to identify points of agreement.
Du Bois states that 'we must hold up his hands and strive with him' regarding 'Thrift, Patience, and Industrial Training for the masses.'
This establishes that Du Bois did not completely reject Washington's focus on economic self-reliance and vocational training.
2
Analyze the passage to identify points of disagreement.
Du Bois states we must oppose Washington when he 'apologizes for injustice,' 'does not value the privilege and duty of voting,' and 'belittles the higher training and aspirations.'
This indicates that Du Bois saw political rights and higher education as immediate necessities that could not be compromised.
3
Synthesize the findings to evaluate the options.
The statement expressing agreement on economic self-reliance but disagreement on the immediacy of civil rights and classical education accurately matches the nuances of the passage.
It acknowledges the overlapping goals of both thinkers while highlighting their distinct strategic approaches, avoiding a simplistic binary view.

Key Concept

Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois Debate

Hints

1
Look closely at the first sentence of the quote. Does Du Bois agree with any part of Washington's program?
2
Du Bois supports industrial training for the masses but opposes Washington's stance on voting and higher education. Choose the option that reflects this mixture of shared goals and strategic divergence.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois Debate

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