African-Americans and Women in the Progressive Era

African-Americans in the Progressive Era African Americans largely ignored by the Progressive presidents and governors President Wilson came from a Southern heritage, held racist views, and permitted segregation Status of African Americans steadily declined since Reconstruction “Separate but Equal” decision in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) solidified segregation in both the South and the North Progressive Era coincided with years where thousands of blacks were lynched by racist mobs Few Progressives did anything about segregation and lynching- more concerned with reforms such as lower tariffs Concerned with reforms they thought benefitted everyone, not just one group

Two Approaches: Washington and Du Bois Two problems African Americans faced: Economic deprivation, exploitation Denial of Civil Rights Which problem was most concerning was a topic of debate among African American leaders Booker T. Washington argued blacks needed education and economic progress; concentrate on learning industrial skills for better wages Had to establish economic security in order to obtain political and social equality

Two Approaches: Washington and Du bois W.E.B. Du Bois grew up in the North and was college educated Criticized Washington’s approach and demanded equal rights for African Americans Argued political and social rights were a prerequisite for economic independence The debate over economic advancement vs. demands for equal rights would continue through the 20th Century

The “Great Migration” At end of 1800s: 9 out of 10 African Americans lived in the South Ratio steadily shifted to the North during the 20th Century 1910-1930: over a million African Americans left the South for several reasons: Bad race relations Destruction of the cotton crop by the boll weevil Job opportunities in northern factories that opened up after white workers left for WWI 1940-1970: over 4 million more African Americans moved up North Still faced racial tension and discrimination

New Civil Rights Organizations 1905: W.E.B. Du Bois and other black intellectuals met in Niagara Falls, Canada to discuss protests and actions aimed at securing civil rights Niagara Movement 1908: Du Bois and members of the Niagara Movement founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Abolish all forms of segregation and increase educational opportunities for African American children 1920: nation’s largest civil rights organization with 100,000+ members 1911: National Urban League established to help people migrating from the South to the North Emphasized self-reliance and economic advancement for black people

Women’s suffrage and the Progressive Movement Progressive Era was a time of increased activism/optimism for feminists Older generation of suffrage crusaders passed the torch to younger women and sought allies among male Progressives Carrie Chapman Catt became the new president of National American Women Suffrage Association (NAWSA) and took the organization’s efforts from the state level to campaigning for a constitutional amendment for women’s suffrage

Women’s Suffrage and the Progressive Movement A more militant approach included women taking to the streets with mass pickets, parades, and hunger strikes Alice Paul of New Jersey broke away from NAWSA to form the National Women’s Party Focused on achieving a constitutional amendment from the start

The Nineteenth Amendment (1920) The dedicated efforts of women on the home front during WWI convinced Congress to pass a women’s suffrage amendment Nineteenth Amendment guaranteed women’s right to vote in all elections at the local, state, and national levels Carrie Chapman Catt organized the League of Women Voters Dedicated to keeping voters informed about candidates and issues

Other Issues taken up by women Margaret Sanger advocated birth-control education This movement eventually turned into the Planned Parenthood organization Women also made progress in securing educational equality, more liberalized divorce and marriage laws, reduced discrimination in the workplace, and property rights

? Why did few Progressives care to address the issues of segregation and lynching? What was the difference between Booker T. Washington’s and W.E.B. Du Bois’ views on civil rights? What was the “Great Migration?” What was Carrie Chapman Catt’s and Alice Paul’s contribution to the women’s suffrage movement? What did the Nineteenth Amendment state?