Civil Rights Movement and Key Figures

Historical Context: After the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) initiated the New Deal to address unemployment and economic distress.
- Exclusion of African Americans: Many programs did not benefit African Americans, reinforcing systemic racial inequalities.

African American Involvement: Despite participating in World War II, African Americans faced continued discrimination and violence (e.g., lynchings) upon their return to civilian life.
- Impact of Violence: Societal violence against African Americans persisted, shaping the context for the coming civil rights movement.

Lawsuits and Resistance: In the 1910s-1930s, various lawsuits aimed at stopping segregation were largely ineffective due to lack of societal support.

Historical Significance: Two prominent African American leaders at the turn of the 20th century presented different philosophies regarding segregation and civil rights:
- Booker T. Washington:
- Background: Born to a slave, half white and half Black; experienced the realities of slavery.
- Philosophy: Advocated for vocational training through institutions like the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.
  - Focus on Skills: Emphasized the importance of trades (carpentry, agriculture) and self-sufficiency as a means of upward mobility.
  - Approach to Segregation: Did not openly challenge segregation; aimed at improving the conditions within it by empowering the Black community through education and skills.
- W. E. B. Du Bois:
- Background: First African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard; not born into slavery, raised with access to education in the North.
- Philosophy: Argued against segregation; prioritized education and leadership for a select group of educated African Americans (the "Talented Tenth").
  - Strategy: Urged the need for immediate action against segregation through advocacy and institutional change, opposing Washington’s gradualism.

De Jure Segregation: Segregation mandated by law (e.g., Southern laws enforced racial separation).
De Facto Segregation: Segregation that occurs in practice, not enforced by law (e.g., Northern cities, employment discrimination).

Establishment: Founded in 1909, aimed to support African American civil rights through advocacy and legal action, demonstrating a shift towards organized resistance against systemic racism.

Significance: Initiated by W. E. B. Du Bois and others at Niagara Falls, outlined plans for immediate action against segregation and the need for equality and justice.

Lynching of African Americans: Acts of violence used to enforce racial hierarchy, often justified through accusations of crimes against white individuals.
- Prevalence: Both in the South (de jure) and the North (de facto), discrimination and violence against African Americans persisted.

Structural Inequality: Decisions around education, housing, and services made by white citizens perpetuated systemic racism, leading to long-term effects on African American communities.
Cancer Alley Example: An area extensively polluted due to industrial decisions historically made without consideration for affected communities, showcasing ongoing environmental racism.

Post-World War II Momentum: Key events included President Truman's decision to desegregate the armed forces, signaling the beginning of significant institutional changes in civil rights.

Understanding these early movements and thinkers illuminates the long history of the African American struggle for equality and the various strategies employed to combat systemic racism and segregation.
Both Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois provided foundational philosophies that still resonate in civil rights discussions today.