 Economic hardship of 1870s takes attention off freedmen and onto the economy  1874 Democrats finally controlled the House of Representatives for the first time since the end of the Civil War  The Presidential Election of 1876

 Republican Candidate: Rutherford B. Hayes  Democratic Candidate: Samuel Tilden  Popular Vote V Electoral Vote Due to the Electoral College system it is possible to win the popular vote, but lose the electoral vote.  Tilden won the popular vote in 1876 AND it appeared had enough electoral votes to win as well. BUT...

 The Rep. disputed 20 electoral votes from the Southern states of: Louisiana, South Carolina, and Florida  These were also the only states where federal troops were still present  To settle the dispute Congress created a Special Electoral Commission made up of:  5 Senators -- 5 Representatives -- 5 Supreme Court Justices

 Of the 15 member committee 8 were Republicans 7 were Democrats  The committee decision was made by an 8-7 vote strictly along party lines  THE DECISION: Hayes was awarded all 20 electoral votes Hayes = 185 Electoral Votes Tilden = 184 Electoral Votes  HAYES WINS PRESIDENCY!

 Dems. threatened to stop the Senate from being able to conduct the official electoral vote count Compromise between Reps. and Dems.  What was the Compromise?

 Democrats agreed to allow the votes to be counted and therefore allowed Hayes(R) to become President

 Republicans agreed to: Remove the last of the federal troops from the South Appoint a Confederate General to Hayes’ cabinet Pay for the expansion of the railroad into the South with federal funds. Allow Southern states to handle race relations on their own

 “Your rights and interests would be safer if the great mass of intelligent white men were let alone by the federal government.”  The compromise and President Hayes’ words made it very clear that the federal government would not enforce the 14 th or 15 th amendments.

 Blacks viewed this as a betrayal by the Republican party and referred to the Compromise of 1877 as “The Great Betrayal.”  This was the beginning of the end of black support for the Republican party in the South.

 The Compromise of 1877 and desire of Republicans to focus more on the economy and industrialization = the end of Reconstruction.

 Radical Republicans: Justify War – NO Maintain Rep. party in power – NO Help freedman transition to full freedom – NO  Northern Moderates: Reconcile N and S quickly – NO Leniency & Pardon for S. – NO Limited support for Black suffrage – YES & NO

 Planter Aristocracy: Prevent excessive freedom for blacks: NO Secure Pardons – NO Restore plantation/free labor economy – NO Restore traditional political leaders – NO Restore paternalistic race relations – YES/NO

 Yeoman Farms Quickly establish peace and order – NO Greater diversity in S. economy – YES and NO Displace Planter Arist. with new leaders – NO Limit rights and freedoms of Blacks – YES and NO

 Freedmen Secure physical protection – NO Achieve Economic Independence – NO Education & Family/Cultural Bonds – YES and NO Obtain = rights and protection – YES then NO Obtain & exercise right to vote – YES then NO