The Atlanta Compromise was a speech delivered by Booker T. Washington at the Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia on September 18, 1895. Washington, who was a prominent African American leader and educator, advocated for economic cooperation and advancement rather than immediate social and political equality for African Americans.

In his speech, Washington emphasized the importance of vocational education and economic self-sufficiency for African Americans, arguing that they should focus on acquiring job skills and working their way up the social ladder through hard work and perseverance. He believed that by proving their economic worth to society, African Americans could earn the respect and acceptance of the white community.

The Atlanta Compromise was controversial at the time, as it was seen by some as a compromise on civil rights and an acceptance of segregation. Critics, particularly leaders of the burgeoning civil rights movement like W.E.B. Du Bois, believed that Washington's approach was too accommodating and did not go far enough in demanding equality and justice for African Americans.

Despite the criticism, the Atlanta Compromise had significant influence on race relations in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Washington's emphasis on economic self-improvement and cooperation with the white community became a popular ideology among many African Americans seeking to navigate the challenges of racial discrimination and segregation.