Racism was the major blow which the American faced. Progressive era was the age in which there was an enormous growth in the economy and the cities were crowded, urbanization resulted, gulf between the rich and poor was huge and racism was also prevalent.
Segregation of African Americans were not given the right if enfranchisement. Many reformers, educators, journalists rose to the occasion during progressive era to fight for abolition of racism and segregation.
Washington and W.E.B. Du bois consistently fought for the welfare of African Americans. Jim Crow laws which were emphasizing separate but equal doctrine were abandoned and equality was sought for.
The Progressive Era was a period that was defined by several reforms, Progressives believed that those changes were needed because of the problems the Industrial Revolution caused.
However, the Progressive Era failed to make social reforms that brought social reforms, especially to African Americans.
Despite that, there were many important African Americans leaders during that period. Booker T. Washington was an educator that argued that African Americans should learn trades that would give them opportunity instead of fighting against discrimination. W.E.B Du Bois was the founder of the Niagra Movement and defended that African Americans should fight for social equality. Ida B. Wells was a journalist that developed the Anti-Lynching Campaign.
