Reconstruction was a period in U.S. that took place during and after the Civil War. The reconstruction was a time where attempts were made political, social, and economic problems in the U.S. The period of reconstruction gave birth to a lot of influential African Americans, such as Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Dubois. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Dubois both had very similar ideas in terms of Black liberation, but had two different approaches on how to get there. Booker T. Washington a black educator had experienced the legalization of segregation in the south during the 1890s. After the death of social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman Frederick Douglas, Washington was launched into this national leadership role with the African American community. Washington became a people’s champion; the reason being is African Americans had reached a conclusion that the only way to live a decent life in the United states was racial solidarity and self-reliance. Washington would give speeches throughout the south his ideology …show more content…
Washington believed whites had to respect blacks desire for better economic opportunities, and for blacks to accept the desire of whites for segregation. Washington also believed that blacks could gain rights in the south through conformity. That if blacks accepted the political status quo and worked hard to change it. Change would come about by blacks proving themselves to be productive members of society who’s right to equality could not be denied. Washington’s messaged was controversial some viewed it has Washington selling out. Like his message placed a blanket of the atrocity of slavery, and blacks where just supposed to conform. Others viewed Washington’s message as a step in the right direction for the African American