African Americans in Politics-20th Century

This century was very active, especially for African Americans. There was World War I and World War II, Garvey's Back-to-Africa movement, women's suffrage, African America voters shifted from the Republican to the Democratic party, campaigns for civil, rights, the rise and fall of both the Black Power movement and the Black Panther Party, the emergence of the African American political class and thousands of elected officials, from sheriffs to mayors, to Congressmen and women.

The "Black Cabinet" during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Administration. Prior to 1933, no African Americans had formally served as policy advisors within a presidential administration. African leaders and organizations pressed for representation in his administration and 45 were appointed.

1. Who were the Black Cabinet?

2. Why do you think Pres. Roosevelt decided to work with these men?

3. What was the Black Cabinet's significance on the influence of African Americans in politics

4. What at the time period and events going on gave these men an advantage at even forming this cabinet?

5. What was the role of the Black Cabinet?

6. What political platform do you think the Black Cabinet was formed under?

Booker T. Washington was born in slavery. He gained powerful political influence and became an advisor to Presidents William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard.

1. Who is Washington in African American history?

2. Why did Washington have such a powerful influence on African Americans in politics?

3. How significant is it that a man born a slave became an advisor to three American presidents?

4. In what ways do you think Washington advised the presidents?

5. What was going on at the time that put Washington at the advantage of being selected for this position?

6. How did Washington get his education?

Shirley Chisholm

1. What was significant about Chisholm in the involvement of African Americans in politics?

2. Does Chisholm represent the image of the American presidents that were running at the time?

3. Do you think Chisholm really wanted to win the presidency or was she using the campaign trail as a way to speak on issues that otherwise would not have been heard by so many people?

4. How did Chisholm running for president influence the involvement of women in politics?

5. What were Chisholm's political points in her candidacy?

6. What struggles do you think Chisholm faced being black and a woman?

National Civil Rights leaders and organizers of the March on Washington posing before the Lincoln Memorial.

1. Do you see any familiar faces in the photo above? Identify them?

2. What was the focus of the Civil Rights Movement?

3. What role the the Civil Rights Movement play in the involvement of African Americans in politics?

4. Had it not been for these leaders do you think we would have an African American president today?

5. How is having an African American president a part of the "dream" that Dr. Martin Luther King had only a few decades ago?

6. What was the March on Washington?