xThe Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois (Progressive Era and WW1, Ethnicity and Race)

The Souls of Black Folk

by W.E.B. Du Bois

Progressive Era and WW1

Ethnicity and Race

Thesis:

"The problem of the Twentieth Century is the problem of the color line." DuBois believes the U.S. still has a great deal of work to do, to correct the problems of incomplete reconstruction and integration of African Americans into society after emancipation. 

Specific examples/evidence that supports the thesis:

Summary:
Co-Founder of the NAACP in 1909, Du Bois was the first African American to receive a doctorate from Harvard. He published The Souls of Black Folk in 1903 to discuss the failures and shortcomings of post emancipation reconstruction/integration. 

What does this tell us about Race and Ethnicity in the Progressive Era?

The Progressive Era is generally viewed as the 1890's to the 1920's, a time when the rapid industrialization of the U.S. left many citizens concerned with social reform and politics. Written in 1903, The Souls of Black Folk is a representative piece that demonstrates the movement towards social equality for American blacks trying to integrate with society since emancipation. DuBois describes the current state of the black man in society in the early 20th century. Through his own observations and travels, DuBois found that black people were not truly receiving what was promised to them (education, fair wages, justice, and protection under the law). DuBois, a highly educated man saw education and political involvement as the key to correcting the wrongs of slavery's past. 

What parts of the book can be applied to lectures?
DuBois, like Douglas, was there. His accounts are a primary source that paints a picture of what was going on in the early 20th century. DuBois was also a historian and he analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of reconstruction policy.  

General Thoughts:

Excerpts from Book Reviews: 

My Highlighted Passages: 

"Henceforth, the destiny of the race could be conceived as leading neither to assimilation nor separatism but to proud, enduring hyphenation."