nov 12, 1876 - Election of 1876

Description:

It was Rutherford B. Hayes (R) vs Samuel Tilden (D).

Tilden won the popular vote, but there was no majority in the electoral college.

There were cheating allegations; SC, LA, FL had put a symbol of Lincoln next to Tilden's name to try to trick illiterate ex-slaves into thinking that he was the republican.

Congress created a 15 member committee to investigate (8 repubs, 7 demos). They were supposed to be unbiased but everyone voted with their party. 8-7 votes meant Hayes was the winner.

All of this makes things way worse and further tensions. A compromise is finally agreed on: Hayes will be president in exchange for the Reconstruction Act ending.

Significance: this marks the end of reconstruction.

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