In a 1918 editorial, W.E.B. Du Bois
advised African Americans to stop
agitating for equality and to proclaim
Line their solidarity with White Americans
(5) for the duration of the First World War.
The editorial surprised many African
Americans who viewed Du Bois as
an uncompromising African American
leader and a chief opponent of the
(10) accommodationist tactics urged by
Booker, T.Washington. In fact,
however, Du Bois often shifted posi-
tions along the continuum between
Washington and confrontationists
(15) such as William Trotter. In 1895,
when Washington called on African
Americans to concentrate on improving
their communities instead of oppos-
ing discrimination and agitating for
(20) political rights, Du Bois praised
Washington’s speech. In 1903,
however, Du Bois aligned himself
with Trotter, Washington’s militant
opponent, less for ideological reasons
(25) than because Trotter had described
to him Washington’s efforts to silence
those in the African American press
who opposed Washington’s positions.
(30) reflected not a change in his long-term
goals but rather a pragmatic response
in the face of social pressure:
government officials had threatened
African American journalists with
(35) censorship if they continued to voice
grievances. Furthermore, Du Bois
believed that African Americans’
contributions to past war efforts had
brought them some legal and political
(40) advances. Du Bois’ accommoda-
tionism did not last, however. Upon
learning of systematic discrimination
experienced by African Americans
in the military, he called on them to
“return fighting” from the war.
26.
The passage is primarily concerned with
A. identifying historical circumstances that
led Du Bois to alter his long-term goals.
B. defining “accommodationism” and show-
ing how Du Bois used this strategy to achieve certain goals
C. accounting for a particular position
adopted by Du Bois during the First World War.
D. contesting the view that Du Bois was sig-
nificantly influenced by either Washington or Trotter.
E. assessing the effectiveness of a strategy
that Du Bois urged African Americans to adopt.
