Oklahoma Academic Standard 2. The student will analyze the social, economic and political changes that occurred during the American Industrial Revolution, the Gilded Age, and significant reform movements from the 1870s to the 1920s. 

Objective 2.1  Evaluate the transformation of American society, economy and politics during the American Industrial Revolution.

  F. Assess and summarize changing race relations as exemplified in the Plessy v. Ferguson case. 

  G. Compare early civil rights leadership including the viewpoints of Booker T. Washington, and W.E.B. DuBois in response to rising racial tensions, the anti-lynching work of Ida B. Wells, and the use of poll taxes and literacy tests to disenfranchise blacks. 

In a Nutshell

This objective highlights the role of the Supreme Court regarding the on-going struggle for African American rights through federal intervention. In spite of the 15th amendment, African Americans were still disenfranchised by the states through Jim Crow laws, which resulted in racial tension and frequent violence. Students should understand that not all African American leaders agreed on the strategies to guarantee social, political and economic equality for the Black community.

Teacher Action 

Student Action 

• Provide opportunities for students to analyze complex and interacting factors that influence multiple perspectives during different historical eras. 

• Facilitate students to evaluate the impact of perspectives, civic virtues, democratic principles, constitutional rights, and human rights on addressing issues and problems in society.  

• Analyze the role of informed and responsible citizens in their political systems and provide examples of changes in civic participation over time by contrasting how various civil rights leaders addressed issues of racial inequality and discrimination. 

Key Concepts 

Misconceptions 

• concept and practices of "separate but equal " policy

• methods of discrimination based on racism

• impact of African American leaders and their works, including Booker T. Washington’s Atlanta Address and W.E.B. DuBois’s “Souls of Black Folk” 

• strategies use for the disenfranchisement of black voters

• prevalence of violence against blacks, such as lynchings 

• Some students may assume that all black leaders spoke with one voice on issues related to race, but in fact there were many opposing viewpoints caused by generational, regional, and educational differences. 

Instructional Resources