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The Compromise of 1877 (VUS.7d)
In return for support in the Electoral College vote from Southern Democrats, the Republicans agreed to end the military occupation of the South. This enabled former Confederates who controlled the Democratic Party to regain power. It opened the door to the “Jim Crow Era” and began a long period in which African Americans in the South were denied the full rights of American citizenship. Read MORE -
Hayes Takes Office
Hayes lost the popular vote – and was behind in the Electoral College. However, with the electoral votes of three states under dispute, Hayes was awarded all those votes and secured the Presidency for the Republicans. The victory would come at a price, that African-Americans in the South would end up paying… -
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Rutherford B. Hayes Administration
Hayes lost the popular vote – and was behind in the Electoral College. However, with the electoral votes of three states under dispute, Hayes was awarded all those votes and secured the Presidency for the Republicans. The victory would come at a price, that African-Americans in the South would end up paying… -
Enforced Black Codes initiate “Jim Crow Era” (VUS.7d)
First passed as early as 1865, without the Union Military to enforce constitutional rights, African-Americans were systematically denied their rights which should have been protected under the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments. States passed strict laws of segregation of the races – instigating the “Jim Crow Era” that would last another hundred years. MORE -
Reconstruction Ends (VUS.7d)
The Compromise of 1877 enabled former Confederates who controlled the Democratic Party to regain power (called “Redemption” at the time). It opened the door to the “Jim Crow Era” and began a long period in which African Americans in the South were denied the full rights of American citizenship. Read MORE -
Civil Service Reform Attempt
President Hayes issued an executive order to create a Civil Service Commission which would be responsible for testing, hiring and promoting applicants based on a competitive examination rather than patronage – replacing the “Spoils System”. Unfortunately, Congress failed to act to finance the order, and reform would have to wait. MORE -
Great Strike spurs the Knights of Labor (VUS.8d)
The labor union, The Knights of Labor, rose to prominence after the railroad strike of 1877, under Terrence Powderly the organization’s goals became to seek the 8-hour work day, abolition of child labor, equal pay for equal work, and certain political reforms such as the graduated income tax. MORE -
Bland-Allison Act; Economics
Passed over a Hayes veto, this law required the government to purchase $2-$4 million in silver to coin. This would increase the amount of currency, causing some inflation but also making it easier to repay loans. MORE -
Resumption of Specie Act; Economics
Hayes strongly supported this law, as it would place all “greenbacks” (paper money) issued after January 1, 1879 under the backing of gold – making the money more stable. MORE -
Harper’s Weekly; “Exodusters Moving West” (VUS.8a)
Taking advantage of the Homestead Act of 1862, after the Civil War many spread west seeking opportunity through farming – to rebuild lives after the Civil War. New inventions helped turn the Great Plains into vast farms, and railroads connected the new settlers with the cities back east. Former slaves were a part of this migration, written about here in Harper’s Weekly. READ MORE about settling the Great Plains. -
Edison invents the incandescent light bulb (VUS.8b)
After a thousand attempts – Thomas Edison created a light bulb that would actually work! America was about to change forever… The next question, how do we get electricity to all those people who want this new light bulb? Learn MORE
