Key Terms and Concepts in African American History (1877-1915)

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to African American history from 1877 to 1915, emphasizing significant figures, movements, and events relevant for exam preparation.

What is the 'Group Economy'?

A socioeconomic framework where a marginalized group supports each other economically, primarily through collective ownership and community efforts.

Who coined the term 'Talented Tenth'?

W.E.B. Du Bois, referring to the leadership elite of the African American community.

What role did A. Philip Randolph play in civil rights?

He was a labor leader and civil rights activist who advocated for the rights of African American workers.

What does 'Accommodationism' refer to?

A strategy of accepting social segregation while seeking economic and educational opportunities.

Who was Alain Locke?

A philosopher and writer known as the 'father of the Harlem Renaissance' who emphasized African American culture.

What was the main message of the Atlanta Compromise Speech (1895)?

Booker T. Washington advocated for vocational education and economic cooperation while accepting segregation temporarily.

What was 'Birth of a Nation' (1915)?

A controversial film that glorified the Ku Klux Klan and depicted African Americans negatively.

Who was Carter G. Woodson?

An African American historian, known as the 'father of black history', who founded Black History Month.

What is 'Debt Peonage'?

A system where workers are tied to their employers via debts, preventing them from leaving.

What was the 'Great Migration'?

The mass movement of African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North between 1916 and 1970.

What were the 'Harlem Hell Fighters'?

An African American infantry unit that fought bravely in WWI and received high honors.

What was the 'Harlem Renaissance'?

A cultural movement in the 1920s centered in Harlem, celebrating African American art, literature, and music.

Who was Ida B. Wells?

An African American journalist and activist known for her work against lynching.

What is 'Imperialism'?

A policy extending a country's power and influence through military force or diplomacy.

What was the significance of Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)?

It established the 'separate but equal' doctrine, legalizing segregation.

What was the 'Red Summer' of 1919?

A series of race riots that occurred across the United States, reflecting racial tensions post-WWI.

What does 'Scientific Racism' mean?

The misuse of the scientific method to justify racial hierarchies and discrimination.

What is 'Social Darwinism'?

The belief that society operates on a 'survival of the fittest' principle, often used to justify inequalities.

What were Anti-Miscegenation Laws?

Laws prohibiting interracial marriage aimed at preserving white racial purity.

What was the role of the NAACP?

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People aimed to fight for civil rights and eliminate racial discrimination.

What is the 'New Negro' movement?

An assertion of African American identity, emphasizing pride and rejecting accommodationism.

Who was Marcus Garvey?

A Jamaican political leader and the founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), advocating for black nationalism.

What impact did WWI have on African American attitudes?

The war fostered activism and a new militancy among African Americans who sought equality and civil rights.