Final answer:
Booker T. Washington proposed the Atlanta Compromise, which advocated for African Americans to concentrate on economic and educational advancement within a segregated society, theoretically leading to greater civil rights in the future. The correct option is 1.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individual who proposed the Atlanta Compromise, suggesting that African Americans should prioritize economic prosperity over civil rights struggles, was Booker T. Washington.
In a speech delivered at the Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta in 1895, Washington advised African Americans to focus on building economic stability and education within the segregated society instead of directly confronting segregation and fighting for civil rights. While this idea was well-received by many whites and some within the black community, it also drew criticism from other African-American leaders, notably W.E.B. Du Bois, who argued for immediate and full equality.
Washington's Atlanta Compromise emphasized that hard work and economic success were key to gaining respect and eventual civil rights from the dominant white society. His approach was to advocate for the education and entrepreneurship of African Americans, as he believed these were essential for community success and empowerment. Despite the controversy, Washington's ideas had a significant impact and set the stage for the ongoing debate about strategies for achieving racial equality in the United States.