Clash of the Titans, Grade 11

2. DEBATE

Objective: Students will analyze the philosophies of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois and argue which benefited African Americans more.

Subject: Social Studies

Materials: Research books, Internet, paper, pencil

Procedure:

1. Have students research the philosophies of Washington and Du Bois.
2. Have students research the history of the time period between 1895 and 1915. Find out what was going on in the country, especially in relationship to African Americans. Was the Civil Rights movement underway? How were African Americans treated during this period?
3. Question for debate. Resolve: Booker T. Washington benefited African Americans of the late 19th and early 20th centuries more so than W.E.B. Du Bois.
4. Have students formally debate the issue.
5. After the debate, discuss with students that even though both men had very different philosophies and ideas that they both contributed to the advancement of their race in their own way. Civil rights leaders that came after Washington and Du Bois were influenced by both. Help the students see the multiple points of view.