1. 1 The Compromise of 1877

2. 2 The Presidential Nominees of 1876 The Centennial presidential election of 1876 sparked a fire of controversy. The Centennial presidential election of 1876 sparked a fire of controversy. Republican nominee Rutherford B. Hayes and Democratic nominee Samuel Tilden found themselves in the midst of a disputed election. Republican nominee Rutherford B. Hayes and Democratic nominee Samuel Tilden found themselves in the midst of a disputed election. The Democrats, eager to both rid the south of the military presence left over from Reconstruction and make a mark once again in federal politics. The Democrats, eager to both rid the south of the military presence left over from Reconstruction and make a mark once again in federal politics. Tilden, the Governor from New York was nominated in St. Louis alongside Indiana Governor Thomas Hendricks Tilden, the Governor from New York was nominated in St. Louis alongside Indiana Governor Thomas Hendricks

3. 3 Meanwhile, the Radical Republicans were giving way to a more liberal Republican presence. Despite this gradual transformation of the Republican party, the basic tenets which inspired the Republican backing of Reconstruction policy were still alive. Hayes, Governor of Ohio and a former Congressman was nominated for the presidency by the Republican party in Cincinnati at the Republican National Convention, with New York Congressman William Wheeler nominated as his running mate.

4. 4 Campaign Slander The presidential campaign of 1876 was difficult from the onset. The presidential campaign of 1876 was difficult from the onset. Campaign slander was rampant, with smear tactics used in order to bolster support for opposing candidates. Campaign slander was rampant, with smear tactics used in order to bolster support for opposing candidates. While neither candidate was unfamiliar with the sometimes malicious world of politics, the attacks were still difficult, and at times taken personally. While neither candidate was unfamiliar with the sometimes malicious world of politics, the attacks were still difficult, and at times taken personally.

5. 5 The Initial Outcome It appeared initially as November 7th came to a close that Tilden was winning the Electoral College vote with 184 electoral votes to Hayes' 165. It appeared initially as November 7th came to a close that Tilden was winning the Electoral College vote with 184 electoral votes to Hayes' 165. The popular vote too appeared to favor Tilden with 51% or 4,284,020 for the Democratic candidate, while Hayes received 48% of the popular vote, or 4,036,572. The popular vote too appeared to favor Tilden with 51% or 4,284,020 for the Democratic candidate, while Hayes received 48% of the popular vote, or 4,036,572.

6. 6 The Contested Results News of contested election results began to circulate around the country in the early hours of November 8. News of contested election results began to circulate around the country in the early hours of November 8. The Electoral vote, 184 for Tilden and 165 for Hayes was a close one, and 20 electoral votes in dispute. The Electoral vote, 184 for Tilden and 165 for Hayes was a close one, and 20 electoral votes in dispute. Three southern states, South Carolina with 7 electoral votes, Florida with 4, and Louisiana with 8, as well as Oregon (with only one of the three electoral votes contested) were contesting the results of their electoral vote. Three southern states, South Carolina with 7 electoral votes, Florida with 4, and Louisiana with 8, as well as Oregon (with only one of the three electoral votes contested) were contesting the results of their electoral vote. The states, with the electoral votes given to Hayes, were historically democrat, and interestingly, the only southern states still with Federal troops present enforcing Reconstruction laws. The states, with the electoral votes given to Hayes, were historically democrat, and interestingly, the only southern states still with Federal troops present enforcing Reconstruction laws.

7. 7 The returns from the electoral boards of the southern states were the main source of dispute, with both the Republicans and the Democrats claiming victory. The Oregon contested results were rather unique. The debate centered on the legitimacy of one of the electors. The following article from Harper's Magazine published on December 16, 1876, demonstrates the sentiment of the country concerning the disputed returns. “Will any decent Democrat say upon his honor that he believes there was no designed and general intimidation of the colored vote in any of the disputed States for the purpose of securing Democratic success?”

8. 8 Political Cartoons The disputed election resulted in numerous political cartoons dedicated to the crisis. The disputed election resulted in numerous political cartoons dedicated to the crisis. The cartoon entitled "A National Game That is Played Out" represents the discontent of the cartoonist over the apparent gamy nature the disputed election was being handled. The cartoon entitled "A National Game That is Played Out" represents the discontent of the cartoonist over the apparent gamy nature the disputed election was being handled.

9. 9 “Compromise Indeed!" represents the perceived bullying on the part of the Democrats in their plight. The popular press was particularly critical of the Democratic effort to get Tilden elected. “Compromise Indeed!" represents the perceived bullying on the part of the Democrats in their plight. The popular press was particularly critical of the Democratic effort to get Tilden elected.

10. 10 "A Jewel Among Swine", presents a rather scathing view of the electoral boards of the disputed southern states, in this case Louisiana. "A Jewel Among Swine", presents a rather scathing view of the electoral boards of the disputed southern states, in this case Louisiana.

11. 11 Election Violence and the Red Shirts Violence and coercion were suspected to have occurred during the election. Of particular note was the supposed Red Shirts of South Carolina. These staunch southern Democrats were known for their bullying and intimidation of African American voters. Accusations abounded which claimed the Red Shirts were both forcing African Americans to vote democrat, and even preventing them from voting altogether.

12. 12 The Electoral Commission The dispute continued into 1877 with a resolution yet to be reached. The dispute continued into 1877 with a resolution yet to be reached. The U.S. Constitution was ill-equipped to solve the dilemma, stating merely that it was up to the Congress to find a resolution. The U.S. Constitution was ill-equipped to solve the dilemma, stating merely that it was up to the Congress to find a resolution. Thus, in January of 1877 an Electoral Commission Bill was proposed which called for the establishment of a committee to count the returns from the disputed states and determine the proper victor. Thus, in January of 1877 an Electoral Commission Bill was proposed which called for the establishment of a committee to count the returns from the disputed states and determine the proper victor. The act, called for a 15 member commission consisting of 5 members each from the Supreme Court, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. The act, called for a 15 member commission consisting of 5 members each from the Supreme Court, the Senate, and the House of Representatives.

13. 13 The partisan make-up of the Commission was never envisioned to be entirely even to avoid deadlock. The partisan make-up of the Commission was never envisioned to be entirely even to avoid deadlock. Initially the Democrats wanted David Davis, a Democratic Supreme Court justice on the commission, which would ensure a 3-2 Democrat majority among the Supreme Court representatives. Initially the Democrats wanted David Davis, a Democratic Supreme Court justice on the commission, which would ensure a 3-2 Democrat majority among the Supreme Court representatives. However, this was not to be. The very nature of the dispute, coupled with his political aspirations caused Davis to decline to accept the position. However, this was not to be. The very nature of the dispute, coupled with his political aspirations caused Davis to decline to accept the position. Thus, Joseph Bradley, a staunch Republican got the seat, rendering the Supreme Court representation 3-2, favoring the Republicans. Thus, Joseph Bradley, a staunch Republican got the seat, rendering the Supreme Court representation 3-2, favoring the Republicans. The Senate representation was also 3-2, favoring Republicans, with the House representation standing at 3-2 favoring the Democrats. The Senate representation was also 3-2, favoring Republicans, with the House representation standing at 3-2 favoring the Democrats.

14. 14 Despite the clear Republican advantage, a congressional report released in early February of 1877 sings the praises of the "non-partisan" committee. Despite the clear Republican advantage, a congressional report released in early February of 1877 sings the praises of the "non-partisan" committee. Of note is Congress's realization within the report as to the lack of rules or provisions established prior to the election of 1876 to safeguard against such an event. Of note is Congress's realization within the report as to the lack of rules or provisions established prior to the election of 1876 to safeguard against such an event.

15. 15 The Compromise The Electoral Commission's results began to stream in the spring of 1877. The Electoral Commission's results began to stream in the spring of 1877. While favorable to Hayes, the findings of the commission did not however bring about a resolution, considering the rules stipulated in the Electoral Commission Act. While favorable to Hayes, the findings of the commission did not however bring about a resolution, considering the rules stipulated in the Electoral Commission Act. The act itself stated that both Houses of Congress had to approve the commission's findings in order for them to be legitimate. The act itself stated that both Houses of Congress had to approve the commission's findings in order for them to be legitimate. This became evident when the results began to come in; the Republican controlled Senate approved the commission's findings just as quickly as the Democrat controlled House rejected them. This became evident when the results began to come in; the Republican controlled Senate approved the commission's findings just as quickly as the Democrat controlled House rejected them. Filibusters ensued, threatening the speedy resolution envisioned at the creation of the commission. Filibusters ensued, threatening the speedy resolution envisioned at the creation of the commission.

16. 16 While Democrats were hopeful, the reality of the situation was becoming all too apparent. While Democrats were hopeful, the reality of the situation was becoming all too apparent. Negotiations began to take place between top Democrats and supporters of Hayes. Negotiations began to take place between top Democrats and supporters of Hayes. It was decided that the Democrat-controlled Senate would accept the findings of the commission, ushering in the Presidency of Hayes under certain conditions. It was decided that the Democrat-controlled Senate would accept the findings of the commission, ushering in the Presidency of Hayes under certain conditions. Most importantly, the Southern Democrats wanted Federal troops out of Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina, giving the states ultimate control over their own political affairs. Most importantly, the Southern Democrats wanted Federal troops out of Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina, giving the states ultimate control over their own political affairs. Also desired by the Democrats were Federal posts for leading Democrats. Also desired by the Democrats were Federal posts for leading Democrats.

17. 17 A Final Outcome On March 2, 1877, Rutherford B. Hayes was declared President of the United States, bringing an end to the four month debate. On March 2, 1877, Rutherford B. Hayes was declared President of the United States, bringing an end to the four month debate. Three days later, on March 5, Hayes was sworn in as President. Three days later, on March 5, Hayes was sworn in as President.

18. 18 The Results of the Compromise The Compromise of 1877 is often perceived as the end of Reconstruction. The Compromise of 1877 is often perceived as the end of Reconstruction. Because of the negotiations reached in order to ensure a Hayes presidential victory, certain concessions were promised to the South which essentially put an end to the progressive reforms that were attempted by previous presidential administrations and Congresses. Because of the negotiations reached in order to ensure a Hayes presidential victory, certain concessions were promised to the South which essentially put an end to the progressive reforms that were attempted by previous presidential administrations and Congresses. While both in private and public, Hayes insisted on his continued commitment to the African American cause, particularly in the South, his administration's actions seemed to indicate the changing tide of the Republican party. While both in private and public, Hayes insisted on his continued commitment to the African American cause, particularly in the South, his administration's actions seemed to indicate the changing tide of the Republican party.

19. 19 The following map portrays the Reconstruction military redistricting of the south which came to an end with the Compromise of 1877 The following map portrays the Reconstruction military redistricting of the south which came to an end with the Compromise of 1877

20. 20 The appointment of leading Democrats in Federal office was another agreed upon point prior to Hayes' victory. Tennessee Democratic Governor David Key was to be appointed to the coveted position of U.S. Postmaster General, ushering in the revived era of Democratic affluence in politics.