Compromise of 1877

Definition

The Compromise of 1877 was an informal agreement that settled the disputed 1876 presidential election between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel J. Tilden. This deal marked the end of Reconstruction in the South, as federal troops were withdrawn from Southern states, allowing white Democrats to regain control, which had significant implications for Reconstruction policies and their implementation in Alabama.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Compromise of 1877 was negotiated to resolve the contentious outcome of the 1876 presidential election, where Hayes lost the popular vote but was declared the winner in the Electoral College.
2. As part of the compromise, Republicans agreed to withdraw federal troops from the South, effectively ending Reconstruction and leaving African Americans vulnerable to discrimination and violence.
3. The deal resulted in Southern Democrats regaining political power, which led to the implementation of Jim Crow laws that institutionalized racial segregation.
4. Hayes's administration promised to support internal improvements in the South, such as building railroads, as a means to gain Southern cooperation.
5. The Compromise set a precedent for future political deals that prioritized party loyalty over civil rights, significantly affecting African Americans' struggle for equality in Alabama and beyond.

Review Questions

• How did the Compromise of 1877 impact the political landscape of Alabama after Reconstruction?
  • The Compromise of 1877 significantly altered Alabama's political landscape by facilitating the withdrawal of federal troops, which had previously protected African American rights. With this removal, Southern Democrats regained control over state politics, leading to the establishment of laws that disenfranchised black voters and reversed many of the gains made during Reconstruction. This power shift resulted in a political environment that prioritized white supremacy and suppressed African American participation in government.
• Analyze how the withdrawal of federal troops following the Compromise of 1877 affected African Americans' rights in Alabama.
  • The withdrawal of federal troops after the Compromise of 1877 led to a dramatic decline in African Americans' rights in Alabama. Without federal enforcement of civil rights protections, Southern states enacted laws that systematically disenfranchised black citizens, such as literacy tests and poll taxes. The lack of federal oversight also allowed for increased violence and intimidation against African Americans, undermining their social and political progress achieved during Reconstruction.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the Compromise of 1877 on civil rights movements in Alabama and the South.
  • The Compromise of 1877 had profound long-term consequences for civil rights movements in Alabama and throughout the South. By effectively ending Reconstruction, it allowed discriminatory practices to flourish under Jim Crow laws, entrenching racial segregation and inequality for decades. This created an environment where civil rights movements faced immense challenges, as they had to contend with deeply rooted systemic racism. The legacy of this compromise would resonate into the 20th century, fueling activism as African Americans fought against these oppressive systems during the Civil Rights Movement.

Related terms

Reconstruction: The period following the Civil War during which the United States sought to reintegrate the Southern states into the Union and address the rights of formerly enslaved people.

Jim Crow Laws:

State and local laws that enforced racial segregation and disenfranchised African Americans in the South after Reconstruction.

Southern Democrats:

Members of the Democratic Party who dominated the South after Reconstruction, advocating for white supremacy and the disenfranchisement of African Americans.