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Compromise of 1877

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AP US History

Definition

The Compromise of 1877 was an unwritten deal that settled the intensely disputed 1876 U.S. presidential election. It resulted in Republican Rutherford B. Hayes being awarded the presidency in exchange for removing federal troops from Southern states, effectively ending Reconstruction.

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Historical Context

The Compromise of 1877 was a political agreement that resolved the intensely disputed 1876 U.S. presidential election. The country was still grappling with post-Civil War reconstruction, and the election between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel J. Tilden ended with contested results in several states. Key figures included Hayes, Tilden, and members of Congress who formed an informal Electoral Commission to navigate the impasse.

Historical Significance

The Freeport Doctrine significantly impacted the Democratic Party, contributing to its split and weakening prior to the 1860 presidential election. It attempted to allow territories to exclude slavery despite the Supreme Court's ruling, thus alienating Southern Democrats. This doctrine played a role in framing the political discourse around states' rights and slavery, setting the stage for the Civil War.

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