What Event Made The Compromise Of 1877 Possible
What Event Made The Compromise Of 1877 Possible
A Personal Experience
As a history buff, I have always been fascinated by the Compromise of 1877. It was a pivotal moment in American history that marked the end of Reconstruction and the beginning of the Jim Crow era. I remember reading about it in my high school history class, but it wasn’t until I visited the Smithsonian National Museum of American History that I truly understood the significance of this event.
What Was The Compromise of 1877?
The Compromise of 1877 was a political agreement that ended the disputed 1876 presidential election between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel J. Tilden. The Democrats had won the popular vote, but the Republicans disputed the results, claiming that there were electoral irregularities in four states: Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Oregon.
The Role Of The Electoral Commission
To resolve the dispute, Congress created a special Electoral Commission, which was made up of five senators, five representatives, and five Supreme Court justices. The Commission was supposed to be non-partisan, but it ended up being dominated by Republicans, who ultimately awarded all of the disputed electoral votes to Hayes, making him the winner of the election.
The Events That Made The Compromise Possible
There were several events that made the Compromise of 1877 possible. One of the most significant was the withdrawal of federal troops from the South. After the Civil War, the federal government had occupied the southern states to ensure that the newly freed slaves were protected and that the states were complying with the Reconstruction Acts. However, by 1877, the North was tired of its military occupation of the South, and President Hayes promised to withdraw the troops if he was elected. Another event that made the Compromise possible was the contested election itself. The election of 1876 was one of the closest in American history, and the outcome was uncertain for months. This uncertainty created a sense of urgency among politicians, who were eager to resolve the dispute and avoid a potential constitutional crisis.
The Impact Of The Compromise
The Compromise of 1877 had a profound impact on American history. It marked the end of Reconstruction and the beginning of the Jim Crow era, during which African Americans were denied their civil rights and subjected to systemic discrimination and violence. The Compromise also marked the beginning of the Solid South, a period of time when the South became a one-party region dominated by the Democrats.
FAQs
Q: Why was the election of 1876 disputed?
A: The election of 1876 was disputed because of alleged electoral irregularities in four states: Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Oregon.
Q: Who won the election of 1876?
A: Republican Rutherford B. Hayes won the election of 1876, thanks to the Electoral Commission’s decision to award him all of the disputed electoral votes.
Q: What was the impact of the Compromise of 1877?
A: The Compromise of 1877 marked the end of Reconstruction and the beginning of the Jim Crow era. It also marked the beginning of the Solid South, a period of time when the South became a one-party region dominated by the Democrats.