In a 1918 editorial, W.E.B. Du Bois advised African Americans to stop agitating for equality and to proclaim their solidarity...
GMAT Reading Comprehension : (RC) Questions
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In a 1918 editorial, W.E.B. Du Bois advised African Americans to stop agitating for equality and to proclaim their solidarity with White Americans for the duration of the First World War. The editorial surprised many African Americans who viewed Du Bois as an uncompromising African American leader and a chief opponent of the accommodationist tactics urged by Booker T.Washington. In fact, however, Du Bois often shifted positions along the continuum between Washington and confrontationists such as William Trotter. In 1895, when Washington called on African Americans to concentrate on improving their communities instead of opposing discrimination and agitating for political rights, Du Bois praised Washington's speech. In 1903, however, Du Bois aligned himself with Trotter, Washington's militant opponent, less for ideological reasons than because Trotter had described to him Washington's efforts to silence those in the African American press who opposed Washington's positions.
Du Bois's wartime position thus reflected not a change in his long-term goals but rather a pragmatic response in the face of social pressure: government officials had threatened African American journalists with censorship if they continued to voice grievances. Furthermore, Du Bois believed that African Americans' contributions to past war efforts had brought them some legal and political advances. Du Bois's accommodationism did not last, however. Upon learning of systematic discrimination experienced by African Americans in the military, he called on them to "return fighting" from the war.
Ques. 1/5
The passage is primarily concerned with
Solution
1. Passage Analysis:
Progressive Passage Analysis
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| In a 1918 editorial, W.E.B. Du Bois advised African Americans to stop agitating for equality and to proclaim their solidarity with White Americans for the duration of the First World War. | What it says: Du Bois told Black Americans to stop fighting for civil rights and support white Americans during WWI. What it does: Introduces a surprising historical fact that will serve as the central puzzle of the passage. Source/Type: Historical fact Connection to Previous Sentences: This is the opening - establishes our main subject (Du Bois) and a puzzling behavior. What We Know So Far: Du Bois made an unexpected accommodating statement in 1918 What We Don't Know Yet: Why this was surprising, what Du Bois usually stood for Visualization: Timeline: 1918 - Du Bois says "Stop fighting for equality, support the war effort" Reading Strategy Insight: This opening presents a puzzle - expect the passage to explain WHY this happened. |
| The editorial surprised many African Americans who viewed Du Bois as an uncompromising African American leader and a chief opponent of the accommodationist tactics urged by Booker T. Washington. | What it says: People were shocked because Du Bois was known as a tough, uncompromising leader who opposed Booker T. Washington's accommodating approach. What it does: Explains WHY the first sentence was surprising by establishing Du Bois's reputation. Source/Type: Historical context/background Connection to Previous Sentences: This directly explains sentence 1 - tells us WHY the 1918 editorial was surprising. This is helpful clarification, not new complexity! Visualization: Spectrum of Black Leadership 1918: Booker T. Washington (Accommodating) ←→ Du Bois (Confrontational) Public expectation: Du Bois = anti-accommodation Reality in 1918: Du Bois sounds like Washington Reading Strategy Insight: The author is helping us understand the context. We now see the contradiction clearly - a confrontational leader acting accommodating. |
| In fact, however, Du Bois often shifted positions along the continuum between Washington and confrontationists such as William Trotter. | What it says: Actually, Du Bois regularly changed his position between accommodation (Washington) and confrontation (Trotter). What it does: Provides the author's main thesis - challenging the simple view from sentence 2. Source/Type: Author's argument/interpretation Connection to Previous Sentences: This CONTRADICTS sentence 2's implication that Du Bois was consistently uncompromising. The "In fact, however" signals this is correcting our understanding. What We Know So Far: - 1918: Du Bois made accommodating statement - People thought Du Bois was consistently confrontational - ACTUALLY: Du Bois regularly shifted positions Visualization: Leadership Spectrum: Washington (Accommodate) ←→ Trotter (Confront) Common View: Du Bois = always near Trotter Reality: Du Bois = moves back and forth along the spectrum Reading Strategy Insight: Key transition! The author is about to prove this claim with examples. Expect historical evidence next. |
| In 1895, when Washington called on African Americans to concentrate on improving their communities instead of opposing discrimination and agitating for political rights, Du Bois praised Washington's speech. | What it says: In 1895, when Washington gave his famous accommodating message, Du Bois supported him. What it does: Provides first example proving that Du Bois sometimes took accommodating positions. Source/Type: Historical evidence Connection to Previous Sentences: This builds on sentence 3 by giving concrete proof that Du Bois wasn't always confrontational. This supports the author's thesis with evidence. Visualization: Timeline of Du Bois Positions: 1895: Du Bois SUPPORTS Washington's accommodation 1918: Du Bois again takes accommodating stance Pattern: Du Bois has accommodated before Reading Strategy Insight: This example makes 1918 less surprising - it shows a pattern. The author is systematically dismantling the "surprise" from sentence 1. |
| In 1903, however, Du Bois aligned himself with Trotter, Washington's militant opponent, less for ideological reasons than because Trotter had described to him Washington's efforts to silence those in the African American press who opposed Washington's positions. | What it says: In 1903, Du Bois sided with the confrontational Trotter, but mainly because Trotter told him Washington was trying to silence opposing voices in Black newspapers. What it does: Provides second example showing Du Bois shifting to confrontational stance, but reveals his motivation was practical, not ideological. Source/Type: Historical evidence with analysis Connection to Previous Sentences: This continues proving sentence 3's claim about Du Bois shifting positions. Shows movement from 1895 accommodation to 1903 confrontation. Key insight: Du Bois's changes were often practical, not ideological. Visualization: Du Bois Position Timeline: 1895: With Washington (accommodation) 1903: With Trotter (confrontation) - motivated by Washington's press silencing 1918: Back to accommodation Reading Strategy Insight: The "less for ideological reasons" phrase is crucial - it suggests Du Bois was pragmatic, setting up the explanation for 1918. |
| Du Bois's wartime position thus reflected not a change in his long-term goals but rather a pragmatic response in the face of social pressure: government officials had threatened African American journalists with censorship if they continued to voice grievances. | What it says: Du Bois's 1918 accommodating stance wasn't about changing his ultimate goals, but was a practical response to government threats to censor Black journalists. What it does: Provides the main explanation for the puzzle introduced in sentence 1. Source/Type: Author's analysis with supporting evidence Connection to Previous Sentences: This directly answers the original puzzle from sentence 1. The "thus" signals this is the logical conclusion from all the previous evidence. It connects to the "practical, not ideological" theme from sentence 5. What We Know So Far: - Du Bois regularly shifted positions for practical reasons - 1918 accommodation = response to government pressure - His core goals never changed Visualization: Du Bois's Consistent Strategy: Core Goal: Black equality (never changes) Tactical Positions: Accommodate ↔ Confront (changes based on circumstances) 1918: Government threatens censorship → Tactical accommodation Reading Strategy Insight: Major relief point! The mystery is solved. Du Bois wasn't inconsistent - he was strategically flexible. |
| Furthermore, Du Bois believed that African Americans' contributions to past war efforts had brought them some legal and political advances. | What it says: Additionally, Du Bois thought that Black Americans' military service in previous wars had led to some civil rights progress. What it does: Provides additional reason supporting Du Bois's 1918 war support strategy. Source/Type: Historical context/Du Bois's reasoning Connection to Previous Sentences: This builds on sentence 6 by adding ANOTHER practical reason for Du Bois's 1918 position. "Furthermore" signals this reinforces the previous explanation. Visualization: Du Bois's 1918 Reasoning: Reason 1: Avoid government censorship Reason 2: War service historically = civil rights gains Conclusion: Support war effort tactically Reading Strategy Insight: This strengthens the explanation rather than complicating it. Du Bois had multiple practical reasons for his 1918 stance. |
| Du Bois's accommodationism did not last, however. | What it says: Du Bois's accommodating approach didn't continue for long. What it does: Signals another shift is coming, maintaining the pattern of Du Bois changing tactics. Source/Type: Transition/historical fact Connection to Previous Sentences: This confirms the pattern established throughout - Du Bois shifts tactics based on circumstances. "However" indicates another tactical change coming. Reading Strategy Insight: This shouldn't surprise us anymore - we've established that Du Bois regularly adjusts tactics. Expect another practical reason for the change. |
| Upon learning of systematic discrimination experienced by African Americans in the military, he called on them to "return fighting" from the war. | What it says: When Du Bois discovered that Black soldiers faced systematic discrimination, he told them to come back from war ready to fight for their rights. What it does: Provides the final example of Du Bois shifting tactics based on changing circumstances, completing the pattern. Source/Type: Historical evidence Connection to Previous Sentences: This completes the full cycle and reinforces the author's thesis from sentence 3. Shows Du Bois returning to confrontational stance when accommodation proved ineffective. Final Visualization - Complete Pattern: Du Bois's Tactical Flexibility: Core Goal: Black equality (constant) 1895: Accommodate (Washington's approach seemed promising) 1903: Confront (learned Washington silenced opposition) 1918: Accommodate (government pressure + war service strategy) Post-1918: Confront (military discrimination proved accommodation failed) Reading Strategy Insight: Perfect conclusion! This final shift proves the author's point - Du Bois was consistently strategic, not inconsistent. The passage has come full circle with a clear, coherent argument. |
2. Passage Summary:
Author's Purpose:
To explain why W.E.B. Du Bois's 1918 accommodating stance during World War I was not actually surprising or inconsistent, but rather part of a pattern of strategic flexibility based on changing circumstances.
Summary of Passage Structure:
The author builds their argument by systematically challenging our initial assumptions about Du Bois:
- First, the author presents a puzzle by describing Du Bois's surprising 1918 editorial that seemed to contradict his reputation as an uncompromising leader.
- Next, the author challenges this view by arguing that Du Bois actually shifted positions regularly throughout his career, moving between accommodation and confrontation.
- Then, the author proves this claim with historical examples from 1895 and 1903, showing Du Bois changing tactics for practical rather than ideological reasons.
- Finally, the author explains the specific practical reasons behind Du Bois's 1918 position and shows how he quickly returned to a confrontational stance when circumstances changed again.
Main Point:
Du Bois was not inconsistent or unprincipled, but rather a strategic leader who maintained consistent long-term goals while adapting his tactics based on practical circumstances and changing political pressures.
Answer Choices Explained
A
identifying historical circumstances that led Du Bois to alter his long-term goals.
Why It's Wrong: The passage explicitly states that Du Bois's 'wartime position reflected not a change in his long-term goals but rather a pragmatic response' The author argues Du Bois's goals remained consistent while his tactics changed The passage shows tactical shifts, not fundamental goal changes
B
defining "accommodationism" and showing how Du Bois used this strategy to achieve certain goals
Why It's Wrong: The passage doesn't focus on defining accommodationism as a strategy While accommodationism is mentioned, it's not the central focus of explanation The passage doesn't analyze how Du Bois 'used' this strategy to achieve goals
C
accounting for a particular position adopted by Du Bois during the First World War.
Why It's Right: The passage opens with Du Bois's puzzling 1918 wartime editorial and everything serves to explain it The author systematically accounts for why this position wasn't actually surprising given Du Bois's pattern of tactical flexibility Historical examples from 1895 and 1903 are provided specifically to contextualize the 1918 position The passage explains both the practical reasons (government pressure, historical precedent) and the quick shift afterward
D
contesting the view that Du Bois was significantly influenced by either Washington or Trotter
Why It's Wrong: The passage doesn't contest that Du Bois was influenced by Washington and Trotter Instead, it shows how Du Bois moved between their positions based on circumstances The passage acknowledges Du Bois aligned with both leaders at different times
E
assessing the effectiveness of a strategy that Du Bois urged African Americans to adopt
Why It's Wrong: The passage doesn't evaluate whether Du Bois's strategy was effective No assessment of success or failure of the accommodating approach is provided The focus is on explaining why Du Bois adopted the strategy, not judging its results
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