January 1877
The Compromise of 1877 resolved the disputed 1876 presidential election by awarding the presidency to Republican Rutherford Hayes in exchange for withdrawing the last federal troops from South Carolina and Louisiana, ending federal enforcement of Reconstruction. The immediate consequences were catastrophic for Black Southerners: Democratic 'Redeemer' governments consolidated power throughout the South, former Confederates returned to political dominance, Black officeholders were removed, and the systematic disenfranchisement and re-subjugation of Black people proceeded without federal interference. Within months of the troop withdrawal, the Reconstruction governments in both states had been fully dismantled.
Nicodemus, Kansas was founded in July 1877 by Black settlers from Kentucky and other Southern states as an all-Black township. At its 1880 peak it had approximately 700 residents, a school, churches, a post office, and businesses. Nicodemus represented one of the most successful Black-organized settlements of the Exoduster movement. It survived the failure of the hoped-for railroad connections; Nicodemus is today a National Historic Site.
Events
- January 1877Compromise of 1877 Withdraws Federal Troops, Ends Reconstruction
The Compromise of 1877 resolved the disputed 1876 presidential election by awarding the presidency to Republican Rutherford Hayes in exchange for withdrawing the last federal troops from South Carolina and Louisiana, ending federal enforcement of Reconstruction. The immediate consequences were catastrophic for Black Southerners: Democratic 'Redeemer' governments consolidated power throughout the South, former Confederates returned to political dominance, Black officeholders were removed, and the systematic disenfranchisement and re-subjugation of Black people proceeded without federal interference. Within months of the troop withdrawal, the Reconstruction governments in both states had been fully dismantled.
- January 1877Last Reconstruction Governments Collapse After Troop Withdrawal
After federal troops withdrew in April 1877, Republican Governor Daniel Chamberlain of South Carolina and Governor William Kellogg of Louisiana lost their governments within days. Democratic 'Redeemer' governments took control, immediately dismantling Black political participation. Black officeholders were removed, Black militia companies were disbanded and disarmed, and the legal structures protecting Black civil rights were repealed or rendered unenforceable across the former Confederate state
- January 1877Nicodemus, Kansas Founded as Black Freedom Colony
Nicodemus, Kansas was founded in July 1877 by Black settlers from Kentucky and other Southern states as an all-Black township. At its 1880 peak it had approximately 700 residents, a school, churches, a post office, and businesses. Nicodemus represented one of the most successful Black-organized settlements of the Exoduster movement. It survived the failure of the hoped-for railroad connections; Nicodemus is today a National Historic Site.