High Priority Policies for African Americans in the Progressive Era:

1. Voting Rights Restoration: Disenfranchisement through literacy tests and other tactics effectively stripped Black Americans of their political voice. Regaining the right to vote was crucial for gaining any kind of political power and influencing policy changes.

2. Anti-Lynching Legislation: Lynchings were a horrific form of racial terrorism that targeted Black Americans. Federal laws against lynching would have sent a strong message and potentially deterred future violence.

3. Equal Educational Opportunities: Education is a key factor in social mobility and economic advancement. Access to quality education for Black children would have helped dismantle racial inequality for future generations.

These policies directly addressed the core issues of disenfranchisement, racial violence, and lack of opportunity that plagued Black Americans during the Progressive Era.

Low Priority Policies for African Americans in the Progressive Era:

1. Prohibition: While the temperance movement aimed to curb social ills associated with alcohol, it disproportionately impacted Black communities who relied on saloons for social spaces and some economic opportunities.

2. Factory Reforms (for the short term): While factory reforms aimed to improve working conditions overall, Black workers often faced even worse conditions and greater exploitation. Focus on racial equality in the workplace would have been more pressing.

3. Urban Sanitation Improvements (for the short term): While sanitation improvements benefited everyone in cities, segregation often meant Black neighborhoods received the least attention for infrastructure upgrades. Addressing racial segregation in housing and public services would have had a longer-term impact.

It’s important to remember that these policies might be lower priority in the short term because they don’t directly address immediate threats like disenfranchisement or violence. However, dismantling segregation and improving overall Black living conditions would be crucial for long-term progress.