William Edward Burghard Du Bois and Booker Taliaferro Washington were both civil rights leaders of the 19th and 20th centuries. Du Bois was born a free man in Massachusetts, studied at Harvard University, and became the first African American to earn a doctorate from Harvard. . Washington was born as a slave in Virginia, worked in the salt mines while attending school, and then attended Hampton Institute to learn business skills. Although Du Bois and Washington shared the same goal of achieving equality, they disagreed markedly on strategies regarding voting rights, social change, education, and the role of the black man in the South. Washington had a gradual approach unlike Du Bois who wanted immediate equality. Du Bois and Washington differed greatly on the right to vote. Du Bois was outraged by racial injustice and inequality. He demanded that African Americans have the right to vote, equal rights, and more educational opportunities. . On the other hand, Washington agreed that African Americans must become economically independent, improve their place in the world, and gradually acquire their rights. Washington also believed that the literacy test should be administered equally to all races, as he stated in Up From Slavery, "whatever tests are required, they should be applied with equal and exact justice to two races. (Document 10) While Du Bois wanted immediate voting rights, Washington preferred that African Americans work to gain their right to vote. Du Bois's and Washington's approaches to social change differed greatly. Du Bois said in The Negro Problem: "The black race, like all races, is going to be saved by its exceptional men...developing the best of that race that they can guide...... middle of paper." ...concerning voting rights, social change, education, and the role of the black man in the South, Du Bois believed that African Americans should achieve social and political equality immediately and through education , while Washington believed that African Americans should achieve social equality. and political equality gradually and through business skills. Although both offer valid points and arguments, Washington has a more compelling and beneficial philosophy than Du Bois. Washington had a progressive approach toward political and social equality that allowed society to slowly accept African Americans. in their society, which allowed society to better adapt, unlike Du Bois who wanted radical change. Washington also focused on business skills education that allowed African Americans to work and contribute to the economy, which allowed them to have a place in society..