Examkin

Question

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

Read the passage below:

'Mr. [Booker T.] Washington distinctly asks that black people give up, at least for the present, three things,—
First, political power,
Second, insistence on civil rights,
Third, higher education of Negro youth,—
and concentrate all their energies on industrial education, the accumulation of wealth, and the conciliation of the South.'
— W.E.B. Du Bois, *The Souls of Black Folk*, 1903

Based on the passage, which of the following statements best describes W.E.B. Du Bois's critique of Booker T. Washington's platform?

  1. A
    Washington urged African Americans to emigrate to Liberia to build economic power, while Du Bois insisted on staying in the United States.
  2. B
    Washington and Du Bois disagreed entirely on whether African Americans should receive any form of education.
  3. Washington's strategy asks African Americans to temporarily surrender civil rights and higher education in pursuit of economic gains.Answer
  4. D
    Du Bois advocated for the creation of a separate Black nation through the Universal Negro Improvement Association.

Answer

Washington's strategy asks African Americans to temporarily surrender civil rights and higher education in pursuit of economic gains.
The passage states that Washington asks African Americans to give up political power, civil rights, and higher education for the present to concentrate on industrial education and accumulating wealth. The correct option accurately summarizes this by highlighting that Washington's strategy involves the temporary sacrifice of civil rights and higher education for economic advancement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the provided text to identify the core elements Du Bois attributes to Washington's strategy.
The text lists three things Washington asks Black people to give up: political power, civil rights, and higher education.
Understanding what Du Bois claims Washington is asking African Americans to give up is central to identifying the critique.
2
Identify what Du Bois states Washington wants African Americans to focus on instead.
The text states they should concentrate on industrial education, wealth accumulation, and conciliation of the South.
This defines the economic focus of Washington's platform according to Du Bois.
3
Match these findings with the given options to find the one that accurately summarizes this trade-off.
The option stating that Washington's strategy asks African Americans to temporarily sacrifice civil rights and higher education for economic gains aligns directly with the text.
This option correctly synthesizes the exchange of political and educational rights for economic focus described in the passage.

Key Concept

W.E.B. Du Bois's critique of Booker T. Washington's accommodationist strategy and emphasis on vocational education at the expense of political and civil rights.
Rate this question

Topics

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

More questions from this topic