Compromise of 1877 resolves the disputed 1876 US presidential election

Background. The 1876 election was among the most contentious in American history. Neither candidate initially secured enough electoral votes. Facing an unprecedented constitutional crisis, Congress passed a law on January 29, 1877, to form a 15-member Electoral Commission. The election was the last held before the end of the Reconstruction era, which sought to protect African American rights in the South.

Historiography. The term "Compromise of 1877" was coined by C. Vann Woodward in 1951. Historians debate its nature; some argue it was a formal deal where Democrats accepted Hayes in exchange for ending Reconstruction. Others, like Allan Peskin, argue it was not a compromise at all, but rather a mutual concession of the obvious to prevent a filibuster or delegitimization.

Resolution. On March 2, 1877, the House and Senate confirmed Hayes as president. This occurred two days before the end of Grant's term. The resolution involved the Electoral Commission awarding Hayes 20 contested electoral votes. The outcome was widely speculated to have been resolved by the Compromise, though contemporary accounts of a specific "Bargain" remain uncertain.