Up from Slavery · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington.
Chapter 1
Dedication
Booker T. Washington dedicates his volume to his wife, Margaret James Washington, and his brother, John H. Washington, acknowledging their patience, fidelity, and hard work in contributing to the success of Tuskegee.
Chapter 2
Up from Slavery
Booker T. Washington recounts his early life from childhood in slavery to his journey for education and the founding of Tuskegee Institute, emphasizing the values of hard work, self-reliance, and racial uplift through industrial education.
Chapter 3
A Slave Among Slaves
Booker T. Washington reflects on his early life as a slave, describing the conditions of slavery, the impact of the Civil War, and the complex relationships between slaves and their masters. He emphasizes the lack of bitterness toward Southern whites, the moral and economic lessons learned from slavery, and the deep yearning for freedom and education that defined his childhood.
Chapter 4
II: Boyhood Days
Washington recounts his family's move to West Virginia after emancipation, his intense desire for education, and the challenges of balancing work and schooling in the salt-furnaces. He describes the community's first efforts to establish schools for Black children, his mother's support, and his own determination to learn despite obstacles.
Chapter 5
The Struggle for an Education
Booker T. Washington overhears miners discussing Hampton Institute, resolves to attend, works for Mrs. Viola Ruffner to save money, travels to Hampton, passes an entrance exam by thoroughly cleaning a room, and is admitted. He works as a janitor to pay his way, learns valuable lessons in cleanliness and discipline, and is deeply inspired by the dedication of students and teachers.
Chapter 6
Helping Others
Booker T. Washington reflects on his second year at Hampton Institute, emphasizing the unselfishness of teachers and the lesson that happiness comes from serving others. He describes his mother's death, his struggle to return to Hampton, and his subsequent work as a teacher in Malden, West Virginia, where he established day and night schools, a reading room, and a debating society. He also recounts helping his brother John and adopted brother James gain an education, and notes the violent activities of the Ku Klux Klan during this period.
Chapter 7
V: The Reconstruction Period
Washington reflects on the Reconstruction period (1867-1878), describing the widespread but misguided ambition for education among freedpeople, the craze for classical learning, and the tendency to seek government office. He critiques the overemphasis on book learning without practical skills, the prevalence of unqualified teachers and ministers, and the dependency on the federal government. He contrasts his experiences at Hampton Institute, which emphasized industrial education and self-reliance, with a school in Washington, D.C., where students focused on appearances and lacked practical foundation. He advocates for honest franchise laws and warns against repeating Reconstruction mistakes.
Chapter 8
VI: Black Race and Red Race
Booker T. Washington reflects on his experiences with race and caste, including his time teaching Native American students at Hampton Institute, the founding of the night-school, and his observations on racial prejudice. He also recounts his political canvassing for Charleston as the state capital and his return to Hampton to deliver the postgraduate address, emphasizing the importance of industrial education and self-reliance over political ambition.
Chapter 9
VII: Early Days at Tuskegee
Booker T. Washington recounts his arrival in Tuskegee, Alabama, in June 1881, after being recommended by General Armstrong to lead a new normal school for African Americans. He describes the dilapidated facilities—a shanty and a church—used for the school, the poverty and debt among local farmers, and the political attitudes of the time. Washington also details his travels through the countryside, observing the living conditions, schools, and churches, while noting the hunger for education among the people.
Chapter 10
VIII: Teaching School in a Stable and a Henhouse
Booker T. Washington describes the early struggles of establishing the Tuskegee Institute, including the acquisition of an abandoned plantation, the use of a stable and henhouse as classrooms, and the challenges of educating students who initially sought book learning over practical skills. He highlights the support of local leaders Mr. George W. Campbell and Mr. Lewis Adams, and the arrival of co-teacher Miss Olivia A. Davidson.
Chapter 11
Anxious Days and Sleepless Nights
Washington recounts the immense pressure and financial struggles of establishing Tuskegee Institute, emphasizing the burden of representing his race. He details how he maintained the school's credit by borrowing from local white citizens, received crucial personal support from General Armstrong, and describes the community's involvement in purchasing land and building a new structure. The chapter also covers his marriage to Fannie N. Smith, her death, and the tireless fundraising efforts of Miss Olivia A. Davidson.
Chapter 12
X: A Harder Task Than Making Bricks Without Straw
Booker T. Washington describes the early challenges at Tuskegee, including the students' resistance to manual labor, the failed first brick kiln, and the struggle to establish a boarding department with no funds. He emphasizes the educational value of having students build their own buildings and learn trades, and recounts fundraising efforts in the North, the first Thanksgiving service in Porter Hall, and the recruitment of key supporters like Rev. Robert C. Bedford and Mr. Warren Logan.
Chapter 13
Making Their Beds Before They Could Lie on Them
Washington describes the early struggles at Tuskegee, including severe cold and lack of bedding, and how students built their own furniture and mattresses. He emphasizes cleanliness, the use of the toothbrush, and the importance of trust and responsibility. He also recounts positive interactions with white Southerners and reflects on the broader impact of industrial education.
Chapter 14
Raising Money
Booker T. Washington discusses his philosophy and methods for raising funds for Tuskegee Institute, emphasizing dignified presentation of facts over outright begging. He highlights the importance of small donations, strict business methods, and the support of philanthropic funds like the Slater and Peabody Funds. He shares anecdotes of interactions with wealthy donors, including a rude encounter and a generous one, and reflects on the growing Christlike spirit of giving, particularly in Boston. He also credits key figures like Dr. J. L. M. Curry and Mr. Morris K. Jessup for their roles in advancing industrial education.
Chapter 15
Two Thousand Miles for a Five-Minute Speech
Booker T. Washington recounts the events leading up to his famous address at the Atlanta Cotton States and International Exposition in 1895. He describes his initial appearance before a Congressional committee to secure government support for the Exposition, the subsequent decision to have a Negro Building designed and built by Black mechanics, and the immense pressure he felt before delivering his five-minute speech. He emphasizes his belief in industrial education, economic self-reliance, and the importance of building character and property as foundations for racial progress, while also reflecting on his evolving attitude toward those who oppose Black advancement.
Chapter 16
XIV: The Atlanta Exposition Address
Booker T. Washington delivers his famous Atlanta Exposition address, urging both races to 'cast down your bucket' where they are, emphasizing industrial education, economic cooperation, and social separation in matters of social equality. He receives a letter of praise from President Grover Cleveland and later meets him at the Exposition, noting Cleveland's lack of color prejudice. The chapter also notes initial praise and later criticism from some in the Black community who felt he was too conciliatory.
Chapter 17
XV: The Secret of Success in Public Speaking
Booker T. Washington reflects on the organizational structure of Tuskegee Institute, emphasizing delegation and systematic reporting. He then recounts the electrifying reception of his Atlanta Exposition speech, as described by war correspondent James Creelman, highlighting the speech's impact on race relations and the New South. Finally, he discusses his personal methods for rest and recreation, including family time, nature, and gardening.
Chapter 18
Europe
Booker T. Washington describes his marriage to Margaret James Murray and her extensive community work, the ambitions of his children, and the unexpected gift of a European trip from Boston friends. He recounts his initial reluctance, the generous support that allowed him to leave Tuskegee, and the profound relief he felt upon sailing.
Chapter 19
Last Words
In this concluding chapter, Booker T. Washington reflects on the remarkable growth of Tuskegee Institute from humble beginnings to a nationally recognized institution. He recounts the historic visit of President William McKinley and his cabinet to Tuskegee, the honorary degree he received from Harvard University, and the widespread support from both white and black communities. The chapter underscores the themes of perseverance, education, and racial uplift through industrial training.
Chapter 20
Endnotes
This chapter contains endnotes for the book, including a note acknowledging Robert C. Ogden for his perspective on Washington's education.
