The Atlanta Compromise was a speech given by African American leader Booker T. Washington at the Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia in 1895. In his speech, Washington outlined his philosophy on race relations and economic progress for African Americans in the United States.

The key points of the Atlanta Compromise included the promotion of vocational education for African Americans, particularly in agricultural and industrial skills, as a means to economic self-sufficiency and racial progress. Washington emphasized the importance of African Americans working towards self-improvement, self-reliance, and economic independence rather than focusing primarily on political and civil rights activism.

The Atlanta Compromise was met with both support and criticism within the African American community and beyond. While some praised Washington's emphasis on practical education and economic advancement, others criticized his accommodationist approach and perceived willingness to compromise on civil rights in exchange for economic opportunities.

Overall, the Atlanta Compromise is seen as a pivotal moment in American history, representing the complex and often contentious debates within the African American community about the best strategies for achieving equality and empowerment in a deeply divided and discriminatory society.