Learning Modules

Designed as a three part mini-unit, "Voices of the Niagara Movement" is aligned with the Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Frameworks for United States History 1877-present.

Lesson One provides an introduction to post-Reconstruction African American daily life as well as a guided inquiry of proper primary source interpretation. Lesson Two uses the jigsaw method to facilitate cooperative learning, small-group analysis of primary sources, and whole-group discussion, while Lesson Three challenges students to debate the pros and cons of the Niagara Movement from specific historical perspectives.

Although the lessons were designed as a cohesive mini-unit, they can also be implemented individually, as all three lessons use differentiated instruction to meet the educational and developmental needs of the 10th and 11th grade age group.

Primary Source Documents

These documents are to be used in conjunction with all parts of the mini-unit.

The Niagara Movement Declaration of Principles (1905)
From the W.E.B. Du Bois Library Special Collections

Document 1: Correspondence between W.E.B. Du Bois and John S. Brown over the first Niagara Movement Conference's participants (1905)
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Document 2: Letter to W.E.B. Du Bois from Thomas D. Brown about joining the Niagara Movement (1909)

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Document 3: Letter to W.E.B. Du Bois from Oceana Brooks about the Niagara Movement's leadership (1909)
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     Transcript

Document 4: Letter to W.E.B. Du Bois from T.W.H. Williams discusses the aims of the Niagara Movement (1908)
(TK)      Transcript (TK)

Document 5: Circular from Washington, D.C. Secretary of the Niagara Movement enlisting new support (1908)
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Document 6: An Open Letter to College Men detailing the role of African American college-aged men within the Niagara Movement (Date Unknown)
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     Transcript