African American Leaders

During the 1800’s many African Americans were involved in slavery and then the Civil War. After the war from 1860 - 1900, there were some African Americans who became leaders to help the former slaves with their new life and to gain rights in the United States.

One of these leaders was Booker T One of these leaders was Booker T. Washington, who lived from 1856-1915 and was born as a slave. He could not read or write and he worked hard at a Plantation Mill. As a slave he overcame his status as a slave. He became one of the few educated black men of his time. His mother got him a book to read and he taught himself how to learn the alphabet and how to read. He got up at 4 AM to study and read. Later he received a scholarship to go to college by convincing the administrators to let him go to the school and work as a janitor. He later gave speeches and advised others on radical issues to bring whites and blacks closer together. He founded the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute in Alabama, which was like a University, which helped to train African Americans.

The second leader was Blanche K. Bruce. He lived from 1841-1898 The second leader was Blanche K. Bruce. He lived from 1841-1898. In his early life, he ran away from his master and tried to sign up in the Union Army. At the end of the war, he moved back to the South. He was then a free man and was inspired by his own passion for learning. By 1874 he ran as a Senator for Mississippi and served a full term from 1875 – 1881. During his time in office, he tried to work to join the whites and the blacks together in the U.S. Army.

The third leader was George Washington Carver The third leader was George Washington Carver. He was born from 1864-1943. He grew up in a slave family. After the civil war George and his brother were raised and educated by his parents at home. The Tuskegee Institute made possible the financial help among the blacks for the education of African American students.

The fourth leader was William Edward Burghardt Du Bois The fourth leader was William Edward Burghardt Du Bois. He likes to be called W.E.B. Dubois. He was born 1868-1963. Dubois suggested using the “colored” rather than “black.” When referring to the African American this term was used most of the time until the phrase “African American” was used. He also founded the NAACP’s. Later he took on the NAACP’s (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) monthly magazine which he made popular and reached over 100,000 readers. He helped to see more awareness of prejudice and helped to fight for laws and to help women’s rights.

Finally, Ida B. Wells born in 1862-1931 Finally, Ida B. Wells born in 1862-1931. She was an African-American that helped integrate the races. She began investigative journalism which is looking at the charges given for the murders. She used the newspaper Free Speech and started an anti-lynching campaign. This wasn’t accepted well and her place of work was destroyed. She moved away and started another column in a newspaper to continue the fight against racism. She fought her whole life for equality and justice.

There are many important African American leaders There are many important African American leaders. All of them have several things in common. First each of them started out as a slave with many obstacles to overcome. Second each of them were given the opportunity to get an education. Also, each of them had the will to succeed and the courage to continue even though it might cost them their lives. And finally, each off them helped bring about more equal rights for the African Americans. Without them the African Americans of today may not have the freedoms they now have.

W.E.B. Du Bois, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._E._B._Du_Bois Sources: United States History, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2007, Section 3 The Rights of Woman and Minorities, pages 676 – 678. Booker T. Washington, http://www.biography.com/people/booker-t-washington-9524663 Blanche K. Bruce, http://www.biography.com/people/blanche-k-bruce-37324 George Washington Carver, http://www.biography.com/people/george-washington-carver-9240299 W.E.B. Du Bois, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._E._B._Du_Bois Ida B. Wells, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ida_B._Wells