The Atlanta Compromise was a speech delivered by Booker T. Washington at the Atlanta Exposition in 1895. In his speech, Washington outlined his philosophy on race relations and economic progress for African Americans in the post-Reconstruction South. He emphasized the importance of vocational education and economic self-improvement as a means for African Americans to advance themselves in society.

Washington's speech advocated for African Americans to focus on acquiring practical skills and working hard to prove their worth to white society, rather than agitating for social and political equality. He believed that by demonstrating their economic value to the South through hard work and self-improvement, African Americans could gradually gain the respect and acceptance of the white community.

The Atlanta Compromise was controversial at the time, as it was seen by some as a concession to white supremacy and a betrayal of the goals of civil rights activists who were fighting for full equality for African Americans. However, Washington's approach gained significant support and influenced the development of educational and vocational programs for African Americans in the early 20th century.

Overall, the Atlanta Compromise reflected the complex and often conflicting strategies employed by African American leaders in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to navigate the challenges of discrimination and segregation in America.