John T. Washington Speech - 1413 Words

On September 18, 1895, at the Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta, a former slave and now African American Leader Booker T. Washington delivered the opening address to an audience of predominantly white Americans, which became known as the Atlanta Compromise and became one of the most significant speeches in American history regarding race relations in America. It had been approximately thirty years since slavery was abolished by the Thirteenth Amendment and many black Americans were still experiencing racial discrimination in the form of â€Å"Black Codes† and â€Å"Jim Crow† laws, the Republican party had left them to fend for themselves and the Supreme Court had abandoned them when they voided several civil rights protections that had ensured them equal rights. At this critical time in history, the ideals Washington expressed in his Atlanta Compromise speech and which he believed were what would keep America moving on a path of progress in the Sou th were a â€Å"give and take† philosophy of finding a middle ground in regards to racial cooperation, black Americans need for acceptance of their low status as the price for acquiring education and economic security, and through hard work and participation in the economic development of the South they would eventually achieve social and political equality. When pointing out that one-third of the population of the South was comprised of black Americans, Washington made it clear black Americans played a significant role inShow MoreRelatedBooker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois and John Hope Essay1286 Words   |  6 Pagesand black populations. Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois and John Hope all attempted to conquer these tough issues based on their own experience and cultural influences by sharing their opinions. A well-respected African American leader named Booker T. Washington gave a speech that would be later named the Atlanta Compromise at the Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta on September 18, 1895 (Booker T. Washington Biography). Booker T. Washington was born in to slavery and wouldRead MoreEssay Battle Royal, by Ralph Ellison1341 Words   |  6 Pagesoration in which I showed that humility was the secret, indeed, the very essence of progress. (Not that I believed this -- how could I, remembering my grandfather? -- I only believed that it worked) (Ellison 938). The acceptance of the narrators speech affords him the opportunity to address an assembly of prominent members of the white community, but first he must survive the Battle Royal, a boxing war in the ring against fellow African Americans. The Battle Royal is symbolic of the fight thatRead MoreAnalysis Of John F. Kennedy1589 Words   |  7 PagesHistory Project John F. Kennedy was one of the most dynamic and inspiring presidents the country would ever know of. His leadership was impeccable and he motivated people by his charm and charisma. He had several qualities that made him so applauded by people. One of these qualities is the quality of his speech that made him the hero of the country. Not just his country was enchanted with his speeches but also the whole world felt a lot of connection with the words Kennedy spoke. Speech is one of theRead MoreThe Influence Of Booker T. Washington1497 Words   |  6 Pages The influence of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois have had on the advancement of the African American community in the United States cannot be measured only by looking at the effects they had in their community at that time but by looking at the long term impacts they had on ideas, and policies. The means that the Washington and DuBois both express are both influenced by where they are originally from and how they grew up. With one growing up as a slave and the other growing up not a slaveRead MoreAfrican American Perspective in Early 20th Century America1702 Words   |  7 Pagesideas of the time. Miscegenation, sexuality, and education are just three of the issues that were influenced by the racial attitudes of the times. Many authors commented on these issues and the other issues of the time. Nella Larsen, Booker T. Washington, and Charles Chestnutt are three authors that share their views with their readers. Miscegenation occurs when different racial groups mix through marriage, sexual relations, and/or procreation. During the years after the Civil War before JimRead MoreBooker T.Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois Essay1184 Words   |  5 PagesThe prominent leaders of this movement amongst the Black community were Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois, however they had very differing views on how to achieve this goal (PBS.org). Washington and Du Bois essentially split the Black community into two parties, radical and conservative. Du Bois, the radical, preached for a strong political and civil rights agenda, and uplift for Blacks through education. Washington pushed for Blacks to accept their racial discrimination until they had provenRead MoreSojourner Truth : A Black Woman1697 Words   |  7 PagesI was sold at auction along with a flock of sheep for $100 to John Neely. I was sold two more times over the next two years and finally ended up with Mr. John Dumont at West Park, New Yor k (Sojourner Truth). I noticed you mentioned being named Isabella Baumfree, could you tell me why you changed your name to Sojourner Truth? I first changed my name from Isabella Baumfree to Isabella Van Wagenen. My previous owner John Dumont promised to grant me freedom a year early, but decided to changeRead MoreEssay on Booker T. Washington: Fighter for the Black Man1046 Words   |  5 PagesBooker T. Washington: Fighter for the Black Man Booker T. Washington was a man beyond words. His perseverance and will to work were well known throughout the United States. He rose from slavery, delivering speech after speech expressing his views on how to uplift Americas view of the Negro. He felt that knowledge was power, not just knowledge of books, but knowledge of agricultural and industrial trades. He felt that the Negro would rise to be an equal in American society through hard work.Read MoreGranting The Rights Of African Americans : Reconstruction Period1519 Words   |  7 PagesBooker T Washington, in The Atlanta Compromise (1985) mentions that in the face of discriminatory laws against the Blacks, chances of their development materially or politically was very less. The speech that he gave in front of a predominantly white audience highlighted much on the aspects of free labor. Washington also focused on the aspect that the relationship between the Blacks and the Whites could be cemented by giving the Blacks equal opportunities. He also mentioned in his speech that â€Å"ARead MoreGeorge Washington And Jefferson s Influence On The Independence Of Our Country Essay1471 Words   |  6 Pagesabout George Washington,John Adams and Thomas Jefferson when someone mentions the Founding Fathers. Without a doubt we can say that they were three very important men who greatly affected the independence of our co untry. Out of three, Washington and Jefferson are more talked about. They helped form this nation into a sovereign and free country. Both were great men who did so much to shape and protect this country and it is impossible to say that one did a better job than the other. Washington and Jefferson