The “Death” of Reconstruction

1. The “Death” of Reconstruction In the 1870s, violent opposition in the South and the North’s retreat from its commitment to black equality resulted in the end of Reconstruction. Reconstruction governments were unpopular for the majority of white Southerners: ideals of white supremacy, military defeat, rising taxes and debts to lead new programs of schooling and economic development, and the CORRUPTION that discredited the Republican Party. Most southern whites, however, just could not accept African Americans voting and holding office. KKK violence wrecked havoc on the South and Southern governments were unable to restore order. Only federal intervention in 1871, backed up by the army, succeeded in crushing the KKK. Even after the KKK was eliminated, future white violence was just too much for a strapped federal army to devote its time and resources to.

2. Though the Grant presidency responded to the KKK, the North’s commitment to Reconstruction waned. More radical politicians died/left office and were replaced by people less committed to the ideal of racial equality. • Many of these new politicians believed that the South and blacks should solve their own problems. • Split in the Republican party due to the corruption of Grant’s presidency (Credit Mobilier Scandal, Whiskey Ring). • Weariness of Reconstruction was also compounded by the economic Panic of 1873. The panic pushed economics to the forefront of politics and made us consider where federal money should be better spent (developing the West)! • Racism returned to northern politics as more “radical” Republicans left office. The “best men” should rule the South. • The centennial Election of 1876 further sealed Reconstruction’s demise. The debate/controversy over Hayes/Tilden’s victory in the election led to the “behind the scenes” Compromise of 1877. In return for the Democrat’s endorsement of Rutherford B. Hayes as the new president, Hayes had to end federal intervention in the South. • Now was the time that the Redeemers, the Southern Democrats who overturned Republican rule, ruled the South.