1876
A disputed result reshapes Reconstruction
The most disputed election in US history until 2000, with Democrat Samuel Tilden winning the popular vote and initially appearing to win the Electoral College. Twenty electoral votes in Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Oregon were contested, with both parties submitting competing slates of electors. A special Electoral Commission voted 8-7 along party lines to award all disputed votes to Hayes. The resulting 'Compromise of 1877' ended Reconstruction as Hayes withdrew federal troops from the South.
Reconstruction's end; Southern redemption; electoral integrity; railroad corruption
Most disputed election ever; Hayes won despite losing popular vote; ended Reconstruction
States · 38 reporting
Embed
Drop this map on your site · coming soon
Free iframe with attribution. White-label option in the works.
Get notified →Classroom
All 300 packets, free
60 cycles · K-2 through AP · open download.
Browse packets →Poster
Wall-worthy print · coming soon
Every-election grid and single-state series in the works.
Get notified →Read further
Curated picksThe Republic for Which It Stands
Richard White
Reconstruction through the Gilded Age.
Buy on Amazon →The Populist Vision
Charles Postel
Bancroft-winning history of Populism.
Buy on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, The American Vote earns from qualifying purchases. Links are tagged for tracking. Recommendations are editorial.
Free, ad-light, no paywall
Built by one person. Tips fund the next 60 elections of editorial.