HCHS
SPI 6.6 Notes
SPI 6.6 – Read and interpret a primary source document reflecting the dynamics of the Gilded Age
American society (e.g., Booker T. Washington’s “Atlanta Compromise,” Carnegie’s “Gospel of
Wealth,” Sojourner Truth “Ain’t I a Woman,” Jane Addams “Hull House Accounts,” Jacob Riis
photographs and/or writings, a sweatshop worker’s personal story).
The most famous African American of the late nineteenth century was the influential educator
Booker T. Washington.
He proposed that African Americans concentrate on achieving economic goals rather than
political ones.
In 1895 Washington summed up his views in a speech before a mostly white audience in Atlanta.
Known as the Atlanta Compromise, the speech urged African Americans to postpone the fight for
civil rights and instead concentrate on preparing themselves educationally and vocationally for
full equality.
The Atlanta Compromise speech provoked a strong challenge from W.E.B. Du Bois, the leader of a
new generation of African American activists.
In his 1903 book The Souls of Black Folk, Du Bois explained why he saw no advantage in giving up
civil rights, even temporarily.
He was particularly concerned with protecting and exercising voting rights.
Journalists, who investigated social conditions and political corruption, were nicknamed by Teddy
Roosevelt as muckrakers.
The term referred to a character in John Bunyan’s book Pilgrim Progress, who scraped up the filth
on the ground, ignoring everything else.
These journalists were obsessed with scandal and corruption.
Some concentrated on exposing the unfair practices of large corporations.
Charles Edward Russell attacked the beef industry.
Ida Tarbell was critical of the Standard Oil Company.
Lincoln Steffens reported on vote stealing and other corrupt practices of urban political machines.
Jacob Riis published photographs and descriptions of the poverty, disease, and crime that
afflicted many immigrant neighborhoods in New York City.
The muckrakers stimulated calls for reform.
Read the Primary Source “the Gospel of Wealth” and answer DBQ on page 231.
Read the Primary Source “Campaigning Against Child Labor” and answer questions on page 306.
IRISH PRIDE
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