Lecture Notes: Reconstruction - Part Two

Election of Ulysses S. Grant

• First Election: 1868
• Reelection: 1870
• Background: Became a national figure due to his leadership in the Union Army during the Civil War.
• Southern Opposition:
  • Fared poorly in the South during 1868 election.
  • Seen as an enemy by Southern whites, who were opposed to his efforts to protect the rights of freedmen.
  • Southern resentment towards military occupation by U.S. Army to safeguard freedmen’s rights.

The Solid South

• Definition: A political phenomenon where Southern whites consistently voted Democratic in the years following the Civil War.
• Reasons:
  • Desire for home rule and resentment of federal intervention.
  • Loyalty to the Democratic Party, which upheld white supremacy and segregation.
• Electoral Maps:
  • Solid Democratic voting pattern observed in elections, including the 1884 and 1928 elections.
  • Continued into the 1950s, with shifts beginning in the 1960s due to the Democratic Party’s civil rights platform.

Issues During Grant's Presidency

• Scandals:
  • Instances of fraud and money laundering involving advisors.
  • Did not directly involve Grant but tarnished the reputation of the Republican Party.
• Impact on 1876 Election:
  • Many Northern whites left the Republican Party due to scandals.
  • Contested election between Republican candidate Rutherford B. Hayes and Democratic candidate Samuel J. Tilden.
  • Allegations of voter fraud, especially in Southern states.

The 1876 Presidential Election

• Contentious Results:
  • Election results remain unresolved for four weeks.
  • Tensions between Democrats and Republicans; potential threat of violence.
  • Democrats pledged to march on Washington if Tilden was not elected.

Compromise of 1877

• Background:
  • After intense negotiations, Republicans agree to Hayes’ presidency in exchange for concessions to Democrats.
• Core Parts of the Compromise:
  1. Federal Funds:
     • Hayes will allocate funds to help rebuild the South’s infrastructure (bridges, railroads, etc.).
  2. Removal of Troops:
     • Withdrawal of U.S. troops from the South, ending military oversight.
• Promise from Southerners:
  • Democrats pledged to protect the rights of freedmen, although they ultimately did not uphold this promise.

Impact on the Black Community

• Reaction to Compromise:
  • Often referred to as the 'great betrayal' by the African American community.
  • Anticipation of increased violence and intimidation from groups like the KKK as federal protection waned.
• Conclusion:
  • The Compromise of 1877 marks the end of the Reconstruction era in American history.