1. Grant Administration Grant appointed friends and acquaintances with a lack of experience – Spoils system (Jackson would approve!!!) Many turned out to be dishonest – Construction company kick-back (V.P.) – Whiskey Ring Bribes to IRS to avoid taxes – costs gov’t billions – Shady land deals

2. Liberal Republican Party Wanted “honesty” – Horace Greeley was candidate in 1872 – Lost to Grant died immediately after election What you should get out of this: – Republican Party was split in two Weakened

3. Review We have discussed various reasons to support the notion that Reconstruction was a struggle. – When and why did Reconstruction itself collapse? Think: Democrats, Republicans, Government Rise of oppositional groups, Amnesty Act, Republican corruption and disunity

4. Objectives Continue to trace the demise of the Republican Party and the downfall of Reconstruction. Determine if Reconstruction was a success or a failure.

5. In addition… Panic of 1873 – Railroad company is broke, 3 million jobs lost, currency dispute – Greenback dispute- weren’t backed by gold – Specie Resumption Act 1875- Gold Standard

6. Long story short… By 1874, Radical Republicanism is dissolving – Government is struggling, Party is split, ex- Confederates are regaining rights Supreme Court itself is undermining Republican actions!

7. Supreme Court Decisions Slaughterhouse (1873) – Civil Rights were up to states, not federal gov’t (14 th amendment undermined) U.S. v. Cruikshank (1876) – Federal government could not punish people who oppressed blacks (undermined 14 th amendment) U.S. v Reese (1876) – 15 th Amendment didn’t grant voting rights, just stated grounds on which they couldn’t be taken away All were eventually overturned, but at the time did a lot of damage

8. Equal Rights Fades Away What causes the collapse? No support of the Supreme Court to enforce laws Republican Party losing credibility Reconciliation becomes a priority ***Government can’t impose moral change All of this amounts to Civil Rights taking a back seat!!!!!!

9. Democrats “Redeem” South 1869 -1875, Democrats regain control of state governments “Redemption” = Return to power 1876- Congressional Reconstruction ENDS Recap: – Lincoln- 1863-1865 – “Presidential Reconstruction”- 1865-1867 – “Congressional Reconstruction” – 1867-1876

10. Election of 1876 Corruption = Grant is out! Republican  Rutherford B. Hayes Democratic  Tilden – Cleaned up corrupt Tweed Ring (Boss Tweed… a story for another day)

11. Election of 1876 Tilden wins popular vote but not electoral majority – Votes are disputed – Republican commission decides in favor of Hayes throws out votes from counties that kept voters from the polls – South willing to accept under one condition…

12. Compromise of 1877 Withdraw troops from south (Congressional Reconstruction Plan) Give South money to build a R x R Appoint Conservative Southerners to cabinet

13. Bye-Bye Republicans No longer controlled governments in any Southern states – Democrats achieved “home rule” – Undid pro-black Reconstruction Restricted rights, wiped out social programs, dismantled public schools RECONSTRUCTION ENDS (1877)

14. Review- Downfall Republicans gave blacks rights, but they were not well protected – Supreme court undermined amendments Radicals did not provide land reforms for freed slaves – Freed slaves lacked independence – Review: Rebirth of “slavery” Underestimated racism

15. What do you think… Was Reconstruction a success or failure?? – Debate Activity! Quiz Tuesday!!! (This is your review) Homestretch: Trace the evolution of the Civil Rights movement through the 1960s.