Striving for Equality During the Progressive Era

The Progressive Era had limited progress for nonwhite and immigrant Americans.
Most Progressives were white Anglo-Saxon Protestant reformers who were indifferent or hostile to minorities.
Settlement houses and civic groups played a role in Americanization efforts.
Americanization: Progressives encouraged everyone to follow white, middle-class ways of life.
Many Progressives shared prejudices against nonwhites.
They supported segregation and laws to limit minority voting.

African American reformers responded differently to formal segregation and discrimination.
Booker T. Washington: Blacks should be patient and earn the respect of white Americans to win their rights.
W.E.B. Du Bois: Blacks should demand all rights guaranteed by the Constitution immediately.
W.E.B. Du Bois was a member of the Niagara Movement, calling for rapid progress and more education for blacks.
Following a race riot in Illinois, Niagara Movement members joined white reformers to form the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
The NAACP used the court system to fight for the civil rights of African Americans, including the right to vote.
The NAACP's efforts mostly helped middle-class blacks, while the Urban League focused on poorer urban workers, providing assistance to families and workers.

Individuals and organizations of diverse ethnic groups spoke out against injustice and created self-help agencies.
Jews in New York City formed the Anti-Defamation League to defend themselves against verbal attacks and false statements.
Mexican Americans in several states formed mutualistas, groups that gave loans and provided legal assistance to the poor.