Final answer:
Booker T. Washington advocated for progress and peace in the South by promoting practical education, job training, and economic self-improvement within the African American community, a stance encapsulated in the Atlanta Compromise.
Step-by-step explanation:
Booker T. Washington's Strategy for Progress in the South
Booker T. Washington believed that the best way to ensure progress and peace in the South was through emphasizing economic advancement and self-improvement within the African American community. He posited that focusing on practical education and job opportunities in fields like agriculture, mechanics, and commerce could lead to greater social and political equality over time as a natural consequence of earning respect and demonstrating capability. This approach, known as the Atlanta Compromise, encouraged adaptation to the societal constraints of the era by accepting segregation and disenfranchisement as a temporary state in exchange for opportunities for educational and economic development.
Washington's famous 1895 speech at the Cotton States and International Exposition underscored this belief, as he urged the audience to "cast down your bucket where you are," an allegory for making the best of the current situation and finding ways to prosper within the given conditions. His approach was perceived by many as a call for African Americans to focus on building a strong economic foundation before challenging the segregationist laws of the South.
Booker T. Washington's methods were met with mixed reactions, as some welcomed the opportunity for black empowerment through self-help and vocational training, while others argued that it delayed the fight for civil rights. Nonetheless, Washington's influence was considerable due to his pragmatic stance, which garnered support from both white philanthropists and members of the African American community.