1877 Compromise

Definition

The 1877 Compromise was a political deal that resolved the disputed 1876 presidential election between Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican) and Samuel Tilden (Democrat). It effectively ended Reconstruction and the federal government's efforts to protect the rights of newly freed slaves in the South.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The 1877 Compromise allowed Rutherford B. Hayes to become president in exchange for the removal of federal troops from the South, effectively ending Reconstruction.
2. The deal was made between Republican and Democratic party leaders, with the Republicans agreeing to end Reconstruction in the South in return for the Democrats' acceptance of Hayes as the winner of the disputed 1876 election.
3. The withdrawal of federal troops from the South enabled the Democratic Party to regain control of state governments, leading to the establishment of the 'Solid South' and the erosion of civil rights protections for African Americans.
4. The 1877 Compromise is seen as a significant setback for the goals of Reconstruction, as it allowed the former Confederacy to reassert white supremacy and roll back the political and social gains made by freed slaves.
5. The compromise contributed to the rise of political corruption and machine politics in the post-Reconstruction era, as the Republican Party's focus shifted away from civil rights and towards other political and economic priorities.

Review Questions

• Explain how the 1877 Compromise ended Reconstruction and its impact on the political landscape of the South.
  • The 1877 Compromise effectively ended the Reconstruction era by allowing for the withdrawal of federal troops from the South, enabling the Democratic Party to regain control of state governments. This led to the establishment of the 'Solid South,' where the Democratic Party maintained a firm grip on political power and rolled back the civil rights protections and social gains made by freed slaves during Reconstruction. The compromise contributed to the rise of political corruption and machine politics in the post-Reconstruction era, as the Republican Party shifted its focus away from civil rights and towards other political and economic priorities.
• Analyze the role of political bargaining and compromise in resolving the disputed 1876 presidential election and its long-term consequences.
  • The 1877 Compromise was a political deal made between Republican and Democratic party leaders to resolve the disputed 1876 presidential election between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel Tilden. The compromise allowed Hayes to become president in exchange for the removal of federal troops from the South, effectively ending Reconstruction. This political bargaining had long-term consequences, as it enabled the Democratic Party to regain control of state governments in the South and establish the 'Solid South,' rolling back the civil rights protections and social gains made by freed slaves during Reconstruction. The compromise also contributed to the rise of political corruption and machine politics in the post-Reconstruction era, as the Republican Party shifted its focus away from civil rights and towards other political and economic priorities.
• Evaluate the impact of the 1877 Compromise on the broader goals and legacy of Reconstruction, and its implications for the protection of civil rights in the post-Reconstruction era.
  • The 1877 Compromise was a significant setback for the goals and legacy of Reconstruction. By allowing for the withdrawal of federal troops from the South and enabling the Democratic Party to regain control of state governments, the compromise effectively ended the federal government's efforts to protect the rights of newly freed slaves. This led to the erosion of civil rights protections and the rise of white supremacy in the former Confederacy, as the 'Solid South' emerged under Democratic Party control. The compromise also contributed to the shift in the Republican Party's priorities, away from civil rights and towards other political and economic concerns. The long-term implications of the 1877 Compromise were the entrenchment of racial inequality, the rollback of Reconstruction-era gains, and the weakening of the federal government's ability to safeguard the civil rights of all citizens, particularly in the post-Reconstruction South.

Related terms

Reconstruction:

The period after the American Civil War when the federal government attempted to reintegrate the Confederate states and protect the rights of formerly enslaved people.

Disputed Election of 1876: The controversial presidential election between Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican) and Samuel Tilden (Democrat), which was ultimately decided by a special electoral commission.

Solid South:

The Democratic Party's dominance in the Southern states following the end of Reconstruction, which allowed the party to maintain political control in the region.