The Compromise of 1877 was an important moment in American history. It marked the end of the Reconstruction Era, which followed the Civil War. This time, from 1865 to 1877, aimed to help Southern states adjust and to secure rights for newly freed African Americans. But the Compromise brought about big changes. It led to less federal support in the South, which set the stage for Jim Crow laws and made it hard for Black Americans to vote.

What Happened in the Compromise of 1877?

1. Background: In the 1876 presidential election, there was a lot of arguing about who won. Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel J. Tilden were the main candidates. Tilden got more votes from people, about 51%, while Hayes got about 48%. However, there were problems with the electoral votes from some Southern states, which caused a standstill.

2. Making a Deal: To solve this problem, leaders from both parties made a deal. The Democrats agreed to let Hayes be president if he made some important promises.

3. Main Points of the Deal:

   • Removal of Federal Troops: The federal government agreed to pull out the remaining soldiers from the South. This meant there were fewer troops to enforce the laws of Reconstruction. By 1877, there were only a few hundred soldiers left in the Southern states.
   • Cabinet Appointments: Hayes also promised to choose at least one Southern Democrat for his cabinet. He kept this promise by naming David M. Key as Postmaster General.
   • Investment in the South: The deal included plans for the federal government to spend money on improving the South's roads and railroads.

What Happened After the Compromise?

1. End of Reconstruction: With the removal of troops, Reconstruction officially came to an end in the South. Without military support, Southern states started to create laws that enforced segregation and limited the rights of African Americans.

2. Jim Crow Laws: After the Compromise, Southern states passed laws that enforced racial separation and made it hard for Black people to vote. Between 1880 and 1900, the number of Black voters in the South dropped sharply because of laws like literacy tests and poll taxes.

3. Long-Term Effects: This Compromise set a bad example for future deals that put politics over civil rights. This change allowed racism to become deeply rooted in Southern society, leading to nearly a hundred years of segregation until the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.

Some Important Numbers

• By 1890, in many areas of the South, only 1% of eligible Black voters were registered to vote.
• The number of African Americans in political offices dropped significantly; only 16 Black legislators were elected to Southern state legislatures by the 1890s, a steep decline from over 600 during the peak of Reconstruction.

In summary, the Compromise of 1877 was a turning point that not only closed an important chapter in American history but also led to many years of racial discrimination and restricted voting rights in the South. The effects of this compromise can still be seen today, influencing the social, political, and economic landscape of the country for many generations.