What was the primary focus of the NAACP in the early 20th century?

The primary focus of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) in the early 20th century was advocating for civil rights and challenging segregation. Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence and discrimination against African Americans, the NAACP aimed to secure political, educational, social, and economic equality through legal means. This included challenging unjust laws, opposing policies that enforced segregation, and fighting against racial discrimination in various aspects of life.

Through strategic litigation, public education, and grassroots organizing, the organization played a crucial role in raising awareness about the injustices faced by African Americans and fought for changes that established civil rights protections. This focus on civil rights placed the NAACP at the center of the struggle against racial injustice in the United States, particularly during the Progressive Era and the Civil Rights Movement that followed.

The other choices, such as promoting agricultural education, providing job training, and establishing arts programs, do not encapsulate the critical mission of the NAACP during this period, which was predominantly centered around civil rights activism and legal challenges to segregation.