How did the election of Rutherford B. Hayes to the presidency impact African Americans in the South?

Question

A) The Compromise of 1877 led to greater political freedoms of many African Americans.
B) Hayes actively promoted segregation in the Deep South and worked to implement Jim Crow laws.
C) Hayes, a Republican, helped to promote African American politicians to high-ranking government positions.
D) Hayes ended Reconstruction, which negatively impacted the African American community by returning power to white southern politicians.

Answer 1

The correct answer is D) Hayes ended Reconstruction, which negatively impacted the African American community by returning power to white southern politicians.

Rutherford B. Hayes became president as a result of the Compromise of 1877, which effectively ended Reconstruction. This led to the withdrawal of federal troops from the South and the return of political power to white Southern Democrats, which in turn facilitated the implementation of discriminatory laws and practices that oppressed African Americans, such as Jim Crow laws. Therefore, the end of Reconstruction marked a significant step backward for the rights and freedoms of African Americans in the South.