What was the primary message of Booker T. Washington in his "Atlanta Compromise" speech?

Booker T. Washington's "Atlanta Compromise" speech emphasized the importance of accommodation and economic self-sufficiency for African Americans in the post-Civil War era. In this address delivered in 1895, Washington advocated for African Americans to focus on vocational training, education, and industriousness as a means to gain economic security and eventually earn the respect of white society. He believed that by proving their value through hard work and economic contributions, African Americans could gradually win their civil rights and improve their social status.

Washington's approach was rooted in the idea of building a strong economic foundation that would lead to greater social and political opportunities in the long run. This message contrasted sharply with more militant calls for immediate civil rights and integration that were emerging in other African American leaders at the time. By promoting a philosophy based on patience and pragmatic economic advancement, Washington sought to create a path towards gradual progress rather than confrontation.