1 The Compromise of 1877

2 The Presidential Nominees of 1876 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 nominate Samuel Tilden-Gov of NY 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 nominate Samuel Tilden-Gov of NY

3 Meanwhile, the Radical Republicans were giving way to a more moderate Republican presence. Hayes, Governor of Ohio and a former Congressman was nominated for the presidency by the Republican party

4 Campaign Slander 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. Corruption and “waving the bloody shirt” While neither candidate was unfamiliar with the sometimes malicious world of politics, the attacks were still difficult, and at times taken personally. Corruption and “waving the bloody shirt”

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 The Contested Results 20 electoral votes were in dispute. 20 electoral votes were 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 both the Republicans and the Democrats claimed victory. 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 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.

9 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. 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. 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.

10 The Supreme Court representation 3-2, favoring the Republicans. 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.

11 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.

12 The Compromise 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.

13 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.

14 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.

15 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. certain concessions were promised to the South which essentially put an end to the progressive reforms certain concessions were promised to the South which essentially put an end to the progressive reforms 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.