Who were the central leaders in generating the future mindsets of the African-American people during the time period of 1877-1915? Booker Taliaferro Washington and William Edward Burghardt Du Bois were among the most influential of all African-Americans in the history of the civil rights movement of the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. They were both well educated men during a very crucial time period for all African-Americans. One of the many difficulties during this time period was how to react to a society that did not want to allow them equal rights. Both Washington and Du Bois fought in promoting their ideas of initiating equality. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois were both famous African-Americans who were involved in the …show more content…
Du Bois, while fighting for civil rights, believed that Washington's ways would continue to cause black oppression. Du Bois believed the only way to have equality was through higher education at a college level. He was not willing to give up anything; instead, he wanted to fight for his rights of his people. Both men wanted their nation to have better treatment from the white society. During their quest for equal rights, Washington focused more on economical rights while Du Bois focused on political rights. Washington promoted three main rights that his people should strive for, He believed in supporting economic rights, but also continuing to live segregated socially. He believed this would keep both the white and black society happy. He was against a higher, college level education, that Du Bois supported; instead, he promoted vocational education and the belief that African-Americans should try to conform to the ways that the white society lived. His opinion was that if his people would adapt to the white culture and be patient, their lives would eventually be much better. The rights Du Bois wanted for his people were the right to vote,