What significance did the victory by Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876 presidential race have for reconstruction?

Answer 1

By the election of 1876, it was a common belief among Northerners that Reconstruction had failed. The economic depression (beginning in 1873) and vast mistrust of the scandal-ridden Grant administration convinced Northerners that Reconstruction was over and it was time to move on. Only South Carolina and Louisiana still had troops occupying statehouses but there was widespread distaste of this after 11 years of occupation. The disputed election of 1876 went beyond just the presidential election - rival Democrat and Republican governments set themselves up against each other in SC and LA. It soon became clear that even though the Republican governments were "official," tax monies collected at the local level were forwarded to the rival Democratic governments - Republicans were, in effect, being starved out. Even if Hayes continued to recognize the Republican governments, this would've implied the use of military force and continued occupation, which the country was dead-set against. He got public concessions from the Democratic governments that they would respect the rights of blacks but this was simply political cover to accept the inevitable. It is hard to imagine any other president continuing Reconstruction policies, Hayes just happened to be the guy in charge at the time. Thus, there is little significance in the Hayes victory for Reconstruction - Samuel Tilden would've followed similar policies.

Answer 2

The controversial victory by Rutherford B. Hayes in the 1876 presidential election in America had a very significant effect upon Reconstruction in the South. Gaining the presidency in a hotly contested election was only possible for Hayes through an arrangement with congressional Democrats (that is, Democratic Party leaders): his part of the deal included the removal of all Federal troops from Southern states, which thereby allowed the "old South" to regain power and practically end Reconstruction efforts.