Question

AP US HISTORY HELP! Why would former slaves and Radical Republicans describe the state of affairs following the Compromise of 1877 as “worse than slavery”? Support, refute, or modify this claim using historical evidence. ------>I just need some information! Thanks in advanced!

Answer 1

@jagr2713 @wwhitlock

Answer 2

@Awolflover1

Answer 3

I'm going to send you links

http://www.american-historama.org/1866-1881-reconstruction-era/compromise-of-1877.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compromise_of_1877

PDF: http://fileserver.net-texts.com/asset.aspx?dl=no&id=134618

Answer 4

Hope that helped!

Answer 5

your fat lmao

Answer 6

So, for some background on the topic, I gathered this... "Immediately after the presidential election of 1876, it became clear that the outcome of the race hinged largely on disputed returns from Florida, Louisiana and South Carolina–the only three states in the South with Reconstruction-era Republican governments still in power. As a bipartisan congressional commission debated over the outcome early in 1877, allies of the Republican Party candidate Rutherford Hayes met in secret with moderate southern Democrats in order to negotiate acceptance of Hayes’ election. The Democrats agreed not to block Hayes’ victory on the condition that Republicans withdraw all federal troops from the South, thus consolidating Democratic control over the region. As a result of the so-called Compromise of 1877 (or Compromise of 1876), Florida, Louisiana and South Carolina became Democratic once again, effectively marking the end of the Reconstruction era."

So, basically, by ending the reconstruction era, there was less of a military presence within the south to defend former slaves and abolitionists from the violence of the opposite party. It left blacks specifically open to violence. In slavery, irishmen and african americans, although possibly abused by their owners, were a little bit more protected in that they were property. They cost money, and were valued as equipment. Therefore, their owners usually provided some sort of shelter and food (albeit meager) and protection from violence from other townspeople.

HOWEVER! After the era of slavery was over, the blacks and irish slaves were on their own. They were often denied the right to property, the right to any forms of public commute and even safe passage along the streets. Frequently, they were beaten and just generally, the treatment like lower life forms was horrible. Their only relief was the fact that there were federal soldiers in most every city to keep the peace. They stopped the riots and protected the blacks and irish from physical harm. They were there to help the transition of the relationship between blacks/irish and american whites from slaves-masters to fellow citizens. They, in essence, guaranteed safe passage for the minorities.

The compromise of 1877 removed these safeguards from the south, leaving the minorities on their own. Thats where the statement "worse than slavery" came in. In slavery, they were somewhat protected. But, now free and with no protection from a bitter population, their abuse took a new form. Randomized attacks, discrimination and the lack of ability to have access to even the most basic essentials like property to grow food.

Now, before I conclude, I do have to give a disclaimer. Many people, at this point, say AUGH! The south was so disgusting! But, you have to understand one thing- for a lot of people, it had less to do with the physical skin difference and more to do with the violence of the civil war. The war was originally one for states rights (taxes and such,-not just slavery) but the north turned it into a moral battle of race in hope that they would get more foreign support. (it worked, as most people STILL think it was about race.) In this, they skewed the entire purpose for the conflict to begin with, and, essentially, crushed the south's cause by defamation of character. Therefore, thousands of southerners died for a cause that would end up being skewed to make them all look like bigots. So, most of the population ended up blaming the blacks and irish for ruining their initial cause to begin with, and in doing so, became the exact thing they were accused of- violent racists! So, you can blame the south, and you cant blame the south, lolol.


I hope this helped you understand it a little more :)

SOURCES
http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/compromise-of-1877
https://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aaohtml/exhibit/aopart5.html
https://chnm.gmu.edu/courses/122/empire/1890s.html
http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/civil-war-overview/statesrights.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

And last but not least- I'm a civil war historian/reenactor and an AP student, too.

Answer 7

Wow this really helped! Thank you so much. This is my last paper if the semester and I did not know where to start. =) Now just this paper and three more exams! Again, thank you! @TheYankee

Answer 8

Glad I could help :D Im a big enthusiast of this era, so its a lot of fun for me. Good luck on those exams!