Southern Democrats ultimately agreed to accept Rutherford B. Hayes as the president in exchange for several concessions during the Compromise of 1877. In return for their support in resolving the disputed electoral votes of the 1876 election, Hayes promised to withdraw federal troops from the South, effectively ending Reconstruction. This withdrawal allowed Southern Democrats to regain control over Southern state governments without the presence of federal oversight. Additionally, Hayes agreed to support internal improvements in the South, such as infrastructure projects, and to appoint a Southerner to his Cabinet.
Southern Democrats chose not to actively challenge the decision made by the special commission to award the presidency to Hayes primarily because they recognized that any continued resistance would likely prolong federal intervention in Southern affairs and impede their political goals. By agreeing to Hayes' presidency, they were able to secure the end of Reconstruction, regain power in their states, and consolidate their control without the threat of federal military presence. This pragmatic approach allowed them to shift their focus toward re-establishing white supremacy and dominance in Southern politics.
Following the end of Reconstruction, Jim Crow laws were enacted across Southern states, which further restricted the rights of African Americans through a system of racial segregation and disenfranchisement. These laws institutionalized the principles of white supremacy by mandating separate facilities for whites and blacks in public spaces, including schools, transportation, and accommodations. Moreover, measures such as literacy tests, poll taxes, and understanding clauses were implemented to disenfranchise black voters and maintain the political power of white Southerners. As a result, Jim Crow laws effectively limited African Americans’ access to education, economic opportunities, and participation in the democratic process, entrenching systemic racism for decades.