W.E.B. Du Bois Biography Quiz: How Much Do You Know?

1. In what year was W.E.B. Du Bois born?

1855

1868

1877

1890

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois was born on February 23, 1868, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. This was a pivotal time in American history, shortly after the Civil War and during the Reconstruction era, when the nation was grappling with the challenges of integrating newly freed slaves into society. Du Bois's birth into this era would profoundly shape his life and work as a scholar and activist.

Explanation

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois was born on February 23, 1868, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. This was a pivotal time in American history, shortly after the Civil War and during the Reconstruction era, when the nation was grappling with the challenges of integrating newly freed slaves into society. Du Bois's birth into this era would profoundly shape his life and work as a scholar and activist.

2. What was the focus of Du Bois's doctoral dissertation at Harvard University?

The history of the African slave trade.

The suppression of the African slave trade.

The economic impact of slavery in the American South.

The psychological effects of racial discrimination.

Du Bois's doctoral dissertation, completed in 1895, was titled "The Suppression of the African Slave Trade to the United States of America, 1638–1870." This groundbreaking work examined the historical and political forces that led to the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. It showcased Du Bois's meticulous research skills and his ability to analyze complex historical events within a broader social and political context.

Explanation

Du Bois's doctoral dissertation, completed in 1895, was titled "The Suppression of the African Slave Trade to the United States of America, 1638–1870." This groundbreaking work examined the historical and political forces that led to the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. It showcased Du Bois's meticulous research skills and his ability to analyze complex historical events within a broader social and political context.

3. Which European university did Du Bois attend for his graduate studies?

University of Oxford

University of Cambridge

University of Berlin

Sorbonne University

Du Bois pursued his graduate studies at the University of Berlin in Germany, where he was exposed to leading scholars and intellectuals of the time. This experience broadened his intellectual horizons and introduced him to European perspectives on history, sociology, and philosophy, which would influence his later work on race and social inequality.

Explanation

Du Bois pursued his graduate studies at the University of Berlin in Germany, where he was exposed to leading scholars and intellectuals of the time. This experience broadened his intellectual horizons and introduced him to European perspectives on history, sociology, and philosophy, which would influence his later work on race and social inequality.

4. What was the name of the historically black college that Du Bois attended?

Harvard University

Fisk University

Howard University

Morehouse College

After graduating from high school, Du Bois attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, a historically black college founded in 1866 to provide educational opportunities for freed slaves. Attending Fisk exposed Du Bois to the rich intellectual and cultural heritage of African Americans and further solidified his commitment to racial uplift and social justice.

Explanation

After graduating from high school, Du Bois attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, a historically black college founded in 1866 to provide educational opportunities for freed slaves. Attending Fisk exposed Du Bois to the rich intellectual and cultural heritage of African Americans and further solidified his commitment to racial uplift and social justice.

5. What was a significant aspect of Du Bois's early childhood experience in Great Barrington, Massachusetts?

He grew up on a plantation.

He experienced a relatively integrated community.

He was homeschooled by his parents.

He faced severe racial segregation and discrimination.

Unlike many African Americans in the late 19th century, Du Bois grew up in a relatively integrated community in Great Barrington. He attended a racially mixed school and experienced a degree of acceptance and support from white classmates and teachers. This early experience shaped his views on race relations and his belief in the possibility of racial equality and integration.

Explanation

Unlike many African Americans in the late 19th century, Du Bois grew up in a relatively integrated community in Great Barrington. He attended a racially mixed school and experienced a degree of acceptance and support from white classmates and teachers. This early experience shaped his views on race relations and his belief in the possibility of racial equality and integration.

6. Which of the following was NOT a significant influence on Du Bois's early intellectual development?

His exposure to European intellectual traditions

His experiences with racial discrimination in the American South

His education at Fisk University, a historically black college

His upbringing in a wealthy and privileged family

Du Bois did not come from a wealthy or privileged background. He was raised in a working-class family in Great Barrington, and his experiences with racial prejudice and economic hardship shaped his understanding of social inequality and his commitment to social justice.

Explanation

Du Bois did not come from a wealthy or privileged background. He was raised in a working-class family in Great Barrington, and his experiences with racial prejudice and economic hardship shaped his understanding of social inequality and his commitment to social justice.

7. What was the name of Du Bois's first major work, published in 1903?

The Souls of Black Folk

Black Reconstruction in America

The Philadelphia Negro

The Crisis

The Souls of Black Folk, published in 1903, is considered one of Du Bois's most influential works. It is a collection of essays and sociological studies that explores the lived experiences of African Americans in the United States, addressing issues of race, identity, and social inequality. This work established Du Bois as a leading voice in the fight for racial equality and social justice.

Explanation

The Souls of Black Folk, published in 1903, is considered one of Du Bois's most influential works. It is a collection of essays and sociological studies that explores the lived experiences of African Americans in the United States, addressing issues of race, identity, and social inequality. This work established Du Bois as a leading voice in the fight for racial equality and social justice.

8. Which concept introduced by Du Bois describes the feeling of "two-ness" experienced by African Americans, being both American and Black?

Double consciousness

The veil

The talented tenth

Pan-Africanism

Du Bois coined the term "double consciousness" to describe the psychological and social experience of African Americans, who are forced to see themselves through the lens of both their own identity and the prejudiced gaze of white society. This concept highlights the internal conflict and sense of "two-ness" that many African Americans experience as they navigate a society marked by racial inequality and discrimination.

Explanation

Du Bois coined the term "double consciousness" to describe the psychological and social experience of African Americans, who are forced to see themselves through the lens of both their own identity and the prejudiced gaze of white society. This concept highlights the internal conflict and sense of "two-ness" that many African Americans experience as they navigate a society marked by racial inequality and discrimination.

9. What was the name of the influential African American journal that Du Bois co-founded in 1910?

The Crisis

The Messenger

The Opportunity

The Color Line

In 1910, Du Bois co-founded The Crisis, a journal that became the official publication of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). The Crisis provided a platform for African American voices and perspectives, addressing issues of racial injustice, civil rights, and social progress. It became a powerful tool for advocating for racial equality and mobilizing the African American community.

Explanation

In 1910, Du Bois co-founded The Crisis, a journal that became the official publication of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). The Crisis provided a platform for African American voices and perspectives, addressing issues of racial injustice, civil rights, and social progress. It became a powerful tool for advocating for racial equality and mobilizing the African American community.

10. Which historical event had a profound impact on Du Bois's early life and shaped his views on racial inequality in the United States?

The American Civil War

The Reconstruction Era

The abolition of slavery

All of the above

Du Bois was born in 1868, just a few years after the end of the American Civil War and the abolition of slavery. The Reconstruction Era, a period of political and social upheaval as the nation attempted to integrate newly freed slaves into society, had a profound impact on his early life and shaped his understanding of racial dynamics in the United States. The challenges and injustices faced by African Americans during this era fueled his lifelong commitment to fighting for racial equality and social justice.

Explanation

Du Bois was born in 1868, just a few years after the end of the American Civil War and the abolition of slavery. The Reconstruction Era, a period of political and social upheaval as the nation attempted to integrate newly freed slaves into society, had a profound impact on his early life and shaped his understanding of racial dynamics in the United States. The challenges and injustices faced by African Americans during this era fueled his lifelong commitment to fighting for racial equality and social justice.