The End of Reconstruction

The End of Reconstruction

The Political Climate in 1875

  • Ethelbert Barksdale, editor of the Weekly Clarion, anticipates the recapture of political offices by Democrats in Mississippi.
  • Democrats had been regaining power in the South through political organizing and intimidation of African Americans and Republican supporters.
  • Barksdale views the Democrats' efforts as a revolution to free the South from Republican rule.

The Grant Administration

  • Ulysses S. Grant, a war hero, becomes president but lacks political experience.
  • Grant believed his role was to execute laws, leaving policy development to Congress, pleasing Radical Republicans but weakening his executive power.
  • His inexperience led to division within the Republican Party and undermined support for Reconstruction.
Republican Policies
  • Congress enforced Reconstruction and expanded programs to promote commerce and industry.
    • High tariffs.
    • Tighter banking regulations.
    • Repayment of debts with gold.
    • Increased federal spending on railroads, ports, and postal system.
  • Taxes on alcohol and tobacco, known as “sin taxes,” were kept to pay off Civil War bonds.
Division within the Republican Party
  • Democrats attacked Republican economic policies, arguing they favored the wealthy at the expense of the poor who paid the “sin taxes.”
  • Some Republicans, called Liberal Republicans, agreed with Democrats, concerned about the influence of men seeking personal gain in office.
  • Liberal Republicans nominated Horace Greeley in 1872, promising to pardon Confederates and remove troops from the South.
  • Democrats also nominated Greeley, but Grant still won the election.
Scandals during Grant's Second Term
  • Grant's administration was marred by scandals.
    • Secretary of War William Belknap accepted bribes and was impeached.
    • The “Whiskey Ring” scandal involved government officials and distillers evading taxes.
    • Orville E. Babcock, Grant’s secretary, was allegedly involved.
The Panic of 1873
  • A severe economic crisis began with the bankruptcy of Jay Cooke and Company due to bad railroad investments.
  • The Panic of 1873 led to bank closures, stock market decline, business shutdowns, and unemployment.
Political Impact
  • Scandals and economic depression hurt Republicans.
  • Democrats gained control of the House of Representatives in 1874.
  • Investigations into scandals further embarrassed Grant and the Republicans.

Reconstruction Ends

Northern Weariness
  • Rising Democratic power in Congress made enforcing Reconstruction more difficult.
  • Many Northerners grew tired of Reconstruction and were more concerned with their own economic problems.
Southern Democrats'