The Atlanta Compromise was a speech given by African American leader Booker T. Washington at the Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta on September 18, 1895. In his address, Washington emphasized the importance of vocational education and economic self-reliance for African Americans in the post-Reconstruction South.

Washington's speech advocated for a conciliatory approach to race relations, urging African Americans to focus on industrial education, entrepreneurship, and economic advancement rather than directly challenging the prevailing system of segregation and discrimination. He believed that by proving their economic value to society, African Americans could eventually earn equality and respect from the white community.

The Atlanta Compromise was controversial within the African American community, with some criticizing Washington for being too accommodating to white supremacy and for not taking a more aggressive stance against segregation and disenfranchisement. However, Washington's speech was also seen as a pragmatic strategy for African Americans to progress in a deeply segregated society.

Overall, the Atlanta Compromise marked a significant moment in Black history as it highlighted the complexities and tensions within the African American freedom struggle, and sparked debates about the most effective strategies for achieving racial equality and social justice.