APUSH APUSH Period 5 1844 1877 The End of Reconstruction and the Compromise of 1877

Why This Matters

The End of Reconstruction and the Compromise of 1877 marks a pivotal moment in American history, as it signifies the collapse of the post-Civil War era's attempts to establish racial equality and the rise of white supremacist politics in the South. This event is significant for understanding the larger period of American history, as it highlights the tension between the ideals of liberty and equality enshrined in the Constitution and the harsh realities of racial oppression. This topic is closely tied to the AP theme of Politics and Power, as it demonstrates how the struggle for power and control can lead to the erosion of civil rights and the perpetuation of systemic inequality.

Key Events & People

• Rutherford B. Hayes: The 19th President of the United States, who was elected in 1876 and became the first president to withdraw federal troops from the South, effectively ending Reconstruction. (1876)
• The Compromise of 1877: A deal brokered by Hayes and Southern Democrats that led to the withdrawal of federal troops from the South in exchange for Hayes' inauguration as president. (1877)
• The 1876 Presidential Election: A contentious election between Hayes and Samuel J. Tilden, in which Hayes won the electoral vote but lost the popular vote. (1876)
• The Ku Klux Klan: A white supremacist terrorist organization that emerged in the South during Reconstruction, known for its violent attacks on African Americans and their allies. (1865)
• Freedmen's Bureau: A federal agency established by Congress to provide assistance to former slaves, including food, clothing, and medical care. (1865)
• The Civil Rights Act of 1875: A landmark law that prohibited racial segregation in public accommodations and guaranteed equal access to public facilities. (1875)
• Hiram Revels: The first African American to serve in the U.S. Senate, who represented Mississippi from 1870 to 1871. (1870)
• Blanche K. Bruce: An African American politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Mississippi from 1875 to 1881. (1875)
• The Edmunds-Tucker Act: A law passed in 1887 that disfranchised many African Americans in the South by requiring them to meet strict property and literacy requirements to vote. (1887)
• The Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Cruikshank: A landmark case in which the Court ruled that the 14th Amendment did not apply to private individuals, effectively gutting the Civil Rights Act of 1875. (1876)

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The Compromise of 1877, which withdrew federal troops from the South and allowed white supremacist groups to regain power.
• Effect: The rise of white supremacist politics in the South, including the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan and the disfranchisement of African Americans.

• Long-term consequence: The erosion of civil rights and the perpetuation of systemic inequality in the South, which would continue for generations.

• Cause: The Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Cruikshank, which gutted the Civil Rights Act of 1875.

• Effect: The collapse of Reconstruction and the end of federal efforts to establish racial equality in the South.

• Long-term consequence: The rise of Jim Crow laws and the institutionalization of racial segregation in the South.

• Cause: The disfranchisement of African Americans through laws like the Edmunds-Tucker Act.

• Effect: The further erosion of civil rights and the perpetuation of systemic inequality in the South.
• Long-term consequence: The continued marginalization of African Americans in the South and the delay of the Civil Rights Movement.

Essential Vocabulary

• Reconstruction: The period following the Civil War during which the South was occupied by federal troops and attempts were made to establish racial equality. (1865-1877)
• Compromise: A deal or agreement that is reached through negotiation and concession. (1877)
• Disfranchisement: The act of stripping a group or individual of their right to vote. (1887)
• White supremacy: The ideology that white people are superior to people of other racial groups. (1865)
• Ku Klux Klan: A white supremacist terrorist organization that emerged in the South during Reconstruction. (1865)
• Freedmen's Bureau: A federal agency established by Congress to provide assistance to former slaves. (1865)
• Civil Rights Act: A law that prohibits racial segregation and guarantees equal access to public facilities. (1875)
• 14th Amendment: A constitutional amendment that guarantees equal protection under the law for all citizens. (1868)
• Jim Crow laws: Laws that enforced racial segregation and disfranchisement in the South. (1876)
• Racial equality: The idea that all individuals should be treated equally and have equal access to opportunities and resources. (1865)

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Compromise of 1877 was a deal between Hayes and Southern Democrats to withdraw federal troops from the South in exchange for Hayes' inauguration as president.

• Correction: The Compromise of 1877 was actually a deal between Hayes and Southern Democrats to withdraw federal troops from the South in exchange for Hayes' inauguration as president, but it was not a formal agreement and was not widely known at the time.

• What students often get wrong: The Ku Klux Klan was a group of African American soldiers who fought for the Union during the Civil War.

• Correction: The Ku Klux Klan was actually a white supremacist terrorist organization that emerged in the South during Reconstruction.

• What students often get wrong: The Civil Rights Act of 1875 prohibited racial segregation in public accommodations and guaranteed equal access to public facilities.

• Correction: The Civil Rights Act of 1875 actually prohibited racial segregation in public accommodations and guaranteed equal access to public facilities, but it was later gutted by the Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Cruikshank.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the role of the Compromise of 1877 in the collapse of Reconstruction and the rise of white supremacist politics in the South. Be sure to include specific evidence from the period, such as the Ku Klux Klan's activities and the disfranchisement of African Americans.

• Possible evidence: The Ku Klux Klan's activities, the disfranchisement of African Americans, the Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Cruikshank, and the Civil Rights Act of 1875.

• Possible essay prompt: Evaluate the impact of the Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Cruikshank on the collapse of Reconstruction and the rise of white supremacist politics in the South. Be sure to include specific evidence from the period, such as the Ku Klux Klan's activities and the disfranchisement of African Americans.

• Possible evidence: The Ku Klux Klan's activities, the disfranchisement of African Americans, the Civil Rights Act of 1875, and the Edmunds-Tucker Act.

Quick Self‑Check

1. What was the Compromise of 1877?
2. Correct answer: A deal between Hayes and Southern Democrats to withdraw federal troops from the South in exchange for Hayes' inauguration as president.

3. Explanation: The Compromise of 1877 was a deal between Hayes and Southern Democrats to withdraw federal troops from the South in exchange for Hayes' inauguration as president.

4. Who was the first African American to serve in the U.S. Senate?

5. Correct answer: Hiram Revels.

6. Explanation: Hiram Revels was the first African American to serve in the U.S. Senate, representing Mississippi from 1870 to 1871.

7. What was the Edmunds-Tucker Act?

8. Correct answer: A law that disfranchised many African Americans in the South by requiring them to meet strict property and literacy requirements to vote.
9. Explanation: The Edmunds-Tucker Act was a law passed in 1887 that disfranchised many African Americans in the South by requiring them to meet strict property and literacy requirements to vote.

Last‑Minute Cram Sheet

• ⚠️ The Compromise of 1877 was a deal between Hayes and Southern Democrats to withdraw federal troops from the South in exchange for Hayes' inauguration as president.
• ⚠️ The Ku Klux Klan was a white supremacist terrorist organization that emerged in the South during Reconstruction.
• ⚠️ The Civil Rights Act of 1875 prohibited racial segregation in public accommodations and guaranteed equal access to public facilities.
• ⚠️ The Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Cruikshank gutted the Civil Rights Act of 1875.
• ⚠️ The Edmunds-Tucker Act disfranchised many African Americans in the South by requiring them to meet strict property and literacy requirements to vote.
• ⚠️ Hiram Revels was the first African American to serve in the U.S. Senate.
• ⚠️ Blanche K. Bruce was an African American politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Mississippi from 1875 to 1881.
• ⚠️ The Freedmen's Bureau was a federal agency established by Congress to provide assistance to former slaves.
• ⚠️ The 14th Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law for all citizens.
• ⚠️ Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation and disfranchisement in the South.