The Niagara Movement
W.E.B. Du Bois and the Ascendency and Decline of
The Niagara Movement
Monday December 5, 2011
Dr. Wilson Fallin
December 2, 2011 African American History 473 William Edward Burghardt Du Bois and the
Ascendency and Decline of the Niagara Movement At the turn of the twentieth century, African Americans were in search of political, social and racial equality. Known as the most intriguing intellectual of the black race, William Edward Burghardt Du Bois or more commonly referred to as W.E.B Du Bois formed a coalition of other esteemed blacks in what became known as the Niagara Movement in 1905. The organization received its name for the “mighty current” effect they would have on black oppression and social injustice to all races. These eager intellectuals sought to motivate and educate people of all races and to combat the evils of white supremacy, Jim Crow, and black oppression. Being a profound orator, Du Bois along with the members of the Niagara Movement would oppose Booker T. Washington and seek to persuade the masses that not accommodation, but education was the key to black prosperity. In July of 1905, annoyed by Washington’s continued accommodating policies towards whites and his influence in the black community, W.E.B. Du Bois sent documents to other “like-minded” men which informed them of a meeting to be held to discuss the race problem in the United States. “Drafted and circulated by Du Bois in early June, the call stated two forthright purposes: “organized determination and aggressive action on the part of men who believe in Negro freedom and growth”; and opposition to “present methods of strangling honest criticism (Lewis. 316).” Over forty men were invited. Many of whom were his colleagues. Twenty-nine men met in Ontario, Canada under the understanding
The Niagara Movement
Monday December 5, 2011
Dr. Wilson Fallin
December 2, 2011 African American History 473 William Edward Burghardt Du Bois and the
Ascendency and Decline of the Niagara Movement At the turn of the twentieth century, African Americans were in search of political, social and racial equality. Known as the most intriguing intellectual of the black race, William Edward Burghardt Du Bois or more commonly referred to as W.E.B Du Bois formed a coalition of other esteemed blacks in what became known as the Niagara Movement in 1905. The organization received its name for the “mighty current” effect they would have on black oppression and social injustice to all races. These eager intellectuals sought to motivate and educate people of all races and to combat the evils of white supremacy, Jim Crow, and black oppression. Being a profound orator, Du Bois along with the members of the Niagara Movement would oppose Booker T. Washington and seek to persuade the masses that not accommodation, but education was the key to black prosperity. In July of 1905, annoyed by Washington’s continued accommodating policies towards whites and his influence in the black community, W.E.B. Du Bois sent documents to other “like-minded” men which informed them of a meeting to be held to discuss the race problem in the United States. “Drafted and circulated by Du Bois in early June, the call stated two forthright purposes: “organized determination and aggressive action on the part of men who believe in Negro freedom and growth”; and opposition to “present methods of strangling honest criticism (Lewis. 316).” Over forty men were invited. Many of whom were his colleagues. Twenty-nine men met in Ontario, Canada under the understanding
Cited: 3. Lewis, David. W.E.B. Du Bois, 1868-1919: The Biography of A Race. New York: Henry Holt & Company, LLC, 1993. 316-317. Print. 4 5. Du Bois, W.E.B. "Address to the Nation." Niagara Movement Conference. The Niagara Movement. Virginia, Harper 's Ferry. August 16, 1900. Address.