1. M1/7/13; M12/19/11; T12/14/10 ; W12/16/09 National Politics During Reconstruction (Ch. 16.4 & 16.5; pp. 462-471) Q: What were the major national political issues during Reconstruction (1865-1877)? What impact did they have on Reconstruction in the South?

2. I. Grantism widespread corruption many scandals: – gold grab Jay Gould & Jim Fisk w/ Grant’s bro-in-law – corner market – Credit Mobilier VP Schulyer Colfax – Union Pacific RR construction thru gov’t contracts – whiskey ring private sec. Orville Babcock – bribe re: whiskey taxes – Indian trading posts Sec War William Belknap – bribes

3. II. Liberal Revolt split Republican party in 1872 election wanted “home rule” worried about “Grantism” corruption endorsed Horace Greeley – Dems also endorsed landslide electoral win, but relatively close popular vote Amnesty Act passed

4. III. Panic of 1873 worst depression to date focused on overspeculation in RR’s collapse of Jay Cooke’s bank lasted for five years

5. IV. Currency silver issue – Bland-Allison Act (1878) greater credit important issue again in 1890s (next depression) greenbacks Greenback Party – 1876

6. V. Constitutional Issues slowly chipped away at reconstruction’s gains ex parte Milligan (1866) – banned military tribunals when regular courts open – impacted other laws enforced by military courts – Freedmen’s Bureau TX v. White (1869) – upheld reconstruction process as constitutional (re-admittance of states)

7. V. Constitutional Issues (cont.) Slaughterhouse Cases (1873) – involves LA slaughterhouse monopoly by state – interpreted 14 th Amend. narrowly – only protects national citizenship, not state citizenship – does not protect against state restrictions – only protects in interstate travel, sea travel US v. Reese (1876) – KY – – 1 st Enforcement Act/15 th Amend. – interprets 15 th Amend narrowly & literally

8. V. Constitutional Issues (cont.) US v. Cruikshank – – LA & Colfax Massacre – 14 th Amend protects against states, not individuals – individuals, not state, committed act – [similar parallel to debate over “hate crimes” today] 1883 – Sup. Ct. invalidated C.R. Act of 1875 & KKK Act of 1871 Plessy v. Ferguson – 1896 – “separate but equal”

9. VI. Weakening Support & Redemption Republicans split nationally many Radicals retired or dead Moderate Reps worried about maintaining Rep. majority Americans worried about other issues, not South Dems back in power by 1876, all states except 3 – FL, SC, LA

10. VII. Election of 1876 & Compromise of 1877 Hayes (Rep.) v. Tilden (Dem.) disputed results – FL, LA, SC electoral commission – 7 Reps, 7 Dems, 1 Ind – Independent replaced by Rep. Hayes wins – “Rutherfraud” – Reps. – Dems upset; need Dem. support ends military recon. – troops pull out of S. Reconstruction officially ends