6-7: The Nadir of Race Relations, 1877-1920s

Learning Objectives NAT 2.0 Explain how interpretations of the Constitution and debates over rights, liberties, and definitions of citizenship have affected American values, politics, and society. POL 3.0 Explain how different beliefs about the federal government’s role in U.S. social and economic life have affected political debates and policies.

Key Concept The Union victory in the Civil War and the contested reconstruction of the South settled the issues of slavery and secession, but left unresolved many questions about the power of the federal government and citizenship rights.

Election of 1876 Results Compromise of 1877 185 votes needed for majority Hayes (R)—165 votes Tilden (D)—184 votes 20 votes undecided Compromise of 1877 All contested votes go to Republicans Reconstruction ends Troops withdrawn from South Civil rights laws not enforced

Segregation and Violence Loss of Civil Rights Jim Crow Laws Literacy Tests and Poll Taxes Gerrymandering and White Primaries Black eligible voters 1896 (LA): 130,000 Black eligible voters 1904 (LA): 1,342 Discrimination and the Supreme Court 1873 Slaughterhouse cases—narrowed 14th Amendment 1883 Civil Rights cases—civil rights only protected against government abuse 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson—“separate but equal legalized”

Segregation and Violence Responding to Segregation Increased violence, discrimination, and scientific theories about race Reactions Exodusters—westward migration Booker T. Washington—vocational education W.E.B. Du Bois—legal action/NAACP