The Compromise of 1877 Explained: US History Review

Hip Hughes

13 Feb 201405:41

Summary

TLDRThe video script delves into the Compromise of 1877, a pivotal moment in American history that ended Reconstruction and led to the disenfranchisement of African-Americans for decades. It discusses the contested 1876 presidential election between Samuel Tilden and Rutherford B. Hayes, with a focus on the electoral commission's decision, which awarded Hayes the presidency. The compromise involved removing Union troops from the South, effectively ending federal enforcement of African-American rights, and is referred to as the 'Great Betrayal' due to its significant impact on civil liberties.

Takeaways

📜 The Compromise of 1877, also known as the great betrayal, was a pivotal event that led to the end of Reconstruction and had significant implications for African-American rights.
🗳️ The presidential election of 1876 was contested, with Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican) and Samuel J. Tilden (Democrat) as the main candidates, resulting in a very close Electoral College vote.
🏺 Tilden, a New York Democrat, supported limited federal government intervention and was critical of Lincoln's perceived central government tyranny, aligning with states' rights.
🏭 Hayes, from Ohio, was a Republican interested in industrialization, tariffs, and big business, not necessarily a champion of civil rights amendments.
🤝 The Electoral Commission, composed of more Republicans than Democrats, was set up to decide the outcome of the election in three disputed Southern states.
🚩 The Compromise of 1877 involved an unofficial deal that resulted in Hayes winning all three disputed states, thus securing his presidency.
🏋️‍♂️ One of the conditions of the compromise was the removal of Union troops from the South, effectively ending Reconstruction and federal enforcement of African-American rights.
🚫 The compromise marked the beginning of the Jim Crow era, where African-Americans lost many of the civil liberties they had been fighting for.
🤝 The South gained some concessions as part of the deal, including a Southerner in Hayes' administration and funding for industrial projects, although some promises were not fulfilled.
🗳️ Despite Tilden winning the popular vote by 300,000 votes, the Electoral College vote determined the presidency, highlighting the importance of the Electoral College in U.S. elections.

Q & A

What is the Compromise of 1877?
-The Compromise of 1877 was an informal agreement that ended the disputed U.S. presidential election of 1876. It led to Rutherford B. Hayes becoming president in exchange for the removal of Union troops from the South, effectively ending Reconstruction.
Why is the Compromise of 1877 referred to as 'The Great Betrayal'?
-It is called 'The Great Betrayal' because it resulted in the removal of federal protection for African Americans in the South, leading to the rise of Jim Crow laws and widespread disenfranchisement, essentially undoing the gains made during Reconstruction.
Who were the two main candidates in the 1876 presidential election?
-The two main candidates were Rutherford B. Hayes, a Republican from Ohio, and Samuel Tilden, a Democrat from New York.
What was the key issue with the election results in 1876?
-The election results were contested because three Southern states (Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina) had unclear results. These states still had Union troops stationed there, and both candidates claimed victory in those states.
What role did African American voters play in the 1876 election?
-African American voters played a significant role, particularly in the Southern states, where their votes were crucial. However, their voting was suppressed by violence and intimidation from groups like the Ku Klux Klan.
How was the election dispute of 1876 resolved?
-An electoral commission was formed, consisting of eight Republicans and seven Democrats. They awarded the disputed states' electoral votes to Rutherford B. Hayes, giving him the victory.
What was one key outcome of the Compromise of 1877 for the South?
-One key outcome was the removal of Union troops from the South, which allowed Southern states to reassert control over their governments and enact Jim Crow laws that oppressed African Americans.
How did the Compromise of 1877 affect the rights of African Americans?
-The Compromise led to the end of federal enforcement of the 14th and 15th Amendments, which had granted African Americans citizenship and the right to vote. This ushered in an era of disenfranchisement and segregation.
What role did Rutherford B. Hayes play in the Compromise of 1877?
-Hayes became president as a result of the Compromise, agreeing to remove federal troops from the South, which effectively ended Reconstruction.
Why is the 1876 election notable in terms of the popular vote?
-The 1876 election is notable because Samuel Tilden won the popular vote by about 300,000 votes, but Rutherford B. Hayes won the presidency through the Electoral College, highlighting the disparity between the popular vote and the electoral system.

Outlines

00:00

🗳️ The Compromise of 1877 and Its Impact

This paragraph discusses the Compromise of 1877, which was a pivotal moment in American history following the presidential election of 1876. The election was contentious, with ongoing Reconstruction and turmoil in the South, where Union troops were still present. The candidates were Samuel J. Tilden, a Democrat from New York with limited federal government views, and Rutherford B. Hayes, a Republican from Ohio with industrial interests. The election resulted in a deadlock, with the outcomes of Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina's electoral votes being crucial. An electoral commission, composed of more Republicans than Democrats, was formed to decide the winner. The Compromise of 1877 ensued, with Hayes winning all three states, effectively ending Reconstruction and leading to the withdrawal of Union troops from the South. This compromise is considered a betrayal as it marked the end of federal enforcement of African-American rights under the 14th and 15th Amendments, ushering in the Jim Crow era. The paragraph also mentions other aspects of the deal, such as the appointment of a Southern Democrat to the administration and the South's desire for industrial development, although the latter did not materialize.

05:02

📚 Shout Out to Educators and the Importance of Engagement

The second paragraph shifts focus to acknowledge Mr. Hannah, a teacher from Pennsylvania, and his students for watching the educational content. It emphasizes the importance of teaching and learning history, as well as the role of the audience in engaging with the material. The paragraph encourages viewers to continue watching, subscribe to the channel, and participate in the educational journey, highlighting the collective growth of knowledge and the value of community involvement in education.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Compromise of 1877

The Compromise of 1877 refers to an informal agreement between the Democrats and Republicans that resolved the disputed presidential election of 1876. It is termed the 'great betrayal' in the script due to its significant implications for African Americans, leading to the end of Reconstruction and the rise of Jim Crow laws. The compromise involved the removal of federal troops from the South, effectively ending the protection of African American civil rights, which was a key part of the deal that secured Rutherford B. Hayes's presidency.

💡Reconstruction

Reconstruction was the period after the American Civil War during which the Southern states, having seceded and been defeated, were readmitted to the Union. The script mentions that the end of Reconstruction was part of the Compromise of 1877, indicating a significant historical shift where federal support for civil rights in the South was withdrawn, leading to a period of increased racial segregation and discrimination.

💡14th Amendment

The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1868, granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves, and guaranteed equal protection under the law. The script discusses how the promise of the 14th Amendment was undermined by the Compromise of 1877, as federal enforcement of these rights was effectively ended, leaving African Americans vulnerable to state-level discrimination.

💡15th Amendment

The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, prohibited the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. The script implies that with the withdrawal of federal troops and the end of Reconstruction, the enforcement of the 15th Amendment was weakened, leading to the disenfranchisement of many African Americans through various means, such as literacy tests and poll taxes.

💡Rutherford B. Hayes

Rutherford B. Hayes was the 19th President of the United States, who assumed office after the disputed election of 1876. The script highlights that his election was a result of the Compromise of 1877, which involved the removal of federal troops from the South and effectively marked the end of Reconstruction. His presidency is often associated with the beginning of a period of increased racial segregation and the rollback of civil rights for African Americans.

💡Samuel J. Tilden

Samuel J. Tilden was the Governor of New York and the Democratic candidate in the disputed 1876 presidential election. The script describes him as a Democrat with a limited view on the role of the federal government, which is significant as it contrasts with the eventual outcome of the election that led to a stronger central government stance on civil rights enforcement, albeit short-lived due to the Compromise of 1877.

💡Electoral College

The Electoral College is the group of electors who cast votes in the United States presidential elections. The script emphasizes the critical role of the Electoral College in the 1876 election, where the outcome hinged on the decision of an electoral commission, which awarded all the contested electoral votes to Rutherford B. Hayes, despite Tilden winning the popular vote.

💡Jim Crow Laws

Jim Crow Laws were state and local laws that enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States. The script connects the Compromise of 1877 with the rise of Jim Crow by indicating that the end of federal enforcement of civil rights led to the establishment of these discriminatory laws, which severely limited the rights and freedoms of African Americans.

💡Redemption

In the context of the script, 'Redemption' refers to the efforts by white Democrats in the South to regain control of state governments from the Republicans during the Reconstruction era. The term is significant as it reflects the political shifts and the eventual rollback of civil rights gains made by African Americans, as the script suggests with the Compromise of 1877.

💡States' Rights

States' Rights is the political concept that emphasizes the authority of individual U.S. states to govern themselves without interference from the federal government. The script mentions Samuel J. Tilden's belief in states' rights, which is central to understanding the broader political context of the Compromise of 1877. It underscores the desire for limited federal intervention, which contributed to the eventual withdrawal of federal troops from the South and the end of Reconstruction.

💡Popular Vote

The popular vote refers to the total number of votes cast by individual voters in an election. The script points out that despite Samuel J. Tilden winning the popular vote by 300,000 votes, it was the Electoral College that determined the outcome of the 1876 election. This highlights the significance of the Electoral College in U.S. presidential elections and how it can result in a candidate winning the presidency without winning the popular vote.

Highlights

The Compromise of 1877, also known as the great betrayal, had significant implications for American history.

The presidential election of 1876 was contentious, with the South still in turmoil due to reconstruction and Union occupation.

Samuel J. Tilden, the Democratic candidate, was from New York and believed in a limited role for the Federal Government.

Rutherford B. Hayes, the Republican candidate, was more focused on industrialization, tariffs, and big business.

The Electoral College vote was very close, with three states – Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina – in dispute.

An electoral commission with eight Republicans and seven Democrats was set up to decide the outcome of the disputed states.

The Compromise of 1877 was an unofficial deal between the Republican and Democratic parties.

Rutherford B. Hayes was declared the winner of the disputed states, securing his presidency.

The first part of the compromise involved the removal of Union troops from the South, effectively ending reconstruction.

The compromise led to the end of federal enforcement of African-American rights and the rise of Jim Crow laws.

The South gained a representative in Hayes' administration with David McKenry as Postmaster General.

The South also sought industrial development and funding for a Transcontinental Railroad, although this was not realized.

The popular vote in the 1876 election favored Tilden, but the Electoral College vote determined the presidency.

The Compromise of 1877 is a pivotal moment in American history, often overlooked but with lasting effects.

The episode includes a shout-out to Mr. Hannah's history class from Pennsylvania, encouraging educational engagement.

The host emphasizes the importance of subscribing and engaging with the content for a deeper understanding of history.