What event marked the end of Reconstruction in the United States?
the passage of the Homestead Acts
the impeachment of Andrew Johnson
the removal of federal troops from the South
the entry of the United States into World War I
The event that marked the end of Reconstruction in the United States was the removal of federal troops from the South.
The event that marked the end of Reconstruction in the United States was the removal of federal troops from the South.
The event that marked the end of Reconstruction in the United States was the removal of federal troops from the South. To understand this, let's delve into some historical background.
Reconstruction was a period of significant social, political, and economic changes in the United States following the American Civil War (1861-1865). Its main goal was to rebuild and integrate the Southern states that had seceded back into the Union and address the societal issues resulting from slavery and the war.
After the war, the federal government implemented policies to protect the rights and opportunities for formerly enslaved African Americans. These efforts included the passage of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, the 14th Amendment, which granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to all citizens, and the 15th Amendment, which granted voting rights to African American men.
However, as Reconstruction progressed, resistance to these changes grew in the South. Many Southern states passed "Black Codes" that imposed restrictions on African Americans and undermined their newly gained rights. Additionally, violent acts such as the formation of the Ku Klux Klan targeted African Americans and Republican officials in the South.
To counter this resistance and protect the rights of African Americans, federal troops were stationed in the South. These troops served as a symbol of federal authority and helped enforce the new laws. However, their presence was met with hostility from Southerners who resented the perceived interference in their affairs.
Ultimately, the removal of federal troops from the South marked the end of Reconstruction. This decision came as a result of various factors. By the late 1870s, there was a decline in Northern support for Reconstruction due to a combination of factors such as political fatigue, economic concerns, and shifts in public opinion.
Furthermore, a controversial presidential election in 1876 intensified the desire for a political compromise. Rutherford B. Hayes, the Republican candidate, made a deal with Southern Democrats to secure their support and, in return, promised to withdraw the remaining federal troops from the South.
This compromise, known as the Compromise of 1877, resulted in the removal of federal troops from Southern states. With the withdrawal of military support, the resistance to Reconstruction gained momentum. Southern states began implementing discriminatory Jim Crow laws, which enforced racial segregation and deprived African Americans of their rights, leading to a system of institutionalized racism.
Thus, the removal of federal troops from the South effectively ended Reconstruction, as it signaled the abandonment of federal efforts to protect the rights of African Americans and left them vulnerable to the discriminatory practices that would persist for decades to come.
In conclusion, the event that marked the end of Reconstruction in the United States was the removal of federal troops from the South, rather than the passage of the Homestead Acts, the impeachment of Andrew Johnson, or the entry of the United States into World War I.