Critical Thinking

In what ways were the rights of African Americans repressed after the Civil War?

Predict ways that African American leaders might have tried to fight back against this racism.

Lynching was used to terrorize African Americans and keep them from working to achieve equal political and economic status with whites. Point out that some lynchings also occurred in the North.

Predictable Misunderstandings 

You may think that Lynchings and other racial violence took place exclusively in the South. However, about 10 percent of all lynchings occurred in the North, particularly in the border states of Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kansas.

African American Activists

The African American community used the media, education, economic goals, and political goals to respond to violence and discrimination.

Ida B. Wells began a courageous crusade against lynching, and published a book in 1895 that denounced mob violence.

Mary Church Terrell began a battle against lynching, racism, and sexism. Terrell extended her efforts to fighting for women’s suffrage with Jane Addams and Susan B. Anthony. She helped found the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Booker T. Washington encouraged African Americans to concentrate on achieving economic, rather than political, goals.

W.E.B. Du Bois argued that there was no advantage in temporarily giving up civil rights.

Discussion

What were the major goals of African American leaders during this time period?

Ending lynching and other violence, curtailing discrimination, improving economic situations, and seeking greater political rights.

Discussion

Which Civil Rights leader had the best plan? Dubois or Washington?

Write a one reflection on this question