Presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes

Presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes. The presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes began on March 5, 1877, when he was inaugurated as the 19th President of the United States, succeeding Ulysses S. Grant. Hayes' presidency was marked by significant events, including the end of Reconstruction, the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, and the Pendleton Civil Service Act. He was supported by notable figures such as James G. Blaine, John Sherman, and William McKinley.

Early Presidency

The early presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes was characterized by his commitment to ending Reconstruction and withdrawing federal troops from the Southern United States. This decision was influenced by his meetings with Southern Democrats, including Wade Hampton III and John Brown Gordon. Hayes also faced opposition from Radical Republicans, such as Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner, who wanted to continue Reconstruction efforts. Additionally, Hayes' presidency was marked by the Nez Perce War, a conflict between the United States Army and the Nez Perce tribe, led by Chief Joseph.

Domestic Policy

Hayes' domestic policy focused on issues such as civil service reform, education, and infrastructure development. He supported the creation of the United States Department of Education and the establishment of the United States Geological Survey. Hayes also signed the Bland-Allison Act, which allowed for the coining of silver dollars and helped to stabilize the United States economy. Furthermore, he was influenced by the ideas of Henry George and William Graham Sumner, who advocated for laissez-faire economics and limited government intervention. Hayes' domestic policy was also shaped by his relationships with notable figures, including Mark Twain, Thomas Edison, and Alexander Graham Bell.

Foreign Policy

The foreign policy of Rutherford B. Hayes was marked by a focus on Latin America and the Caribbean. He supported the Venezuelan crisis of 1902-1903 and the Nicaraguan Canal project, which aimed to construct a canal across Nicaragua. Hayes also navigated the Samoa Crisis, a conflict between the United States, Germany, and Great Britain over control of the Samoa Islands. Additionally, he was influenced by the ideas of Alfred Thayer Mahan and Theodore Roosevelt, who advocated for a strong United States Navy and an expansionist foreign policy. Hayes' foreign policy was also shaped by his relationships with notable figures, including Benjamin Disraeli, William Ewart Gladstone, and Otto von Bismarck.

Election of 1876 and Aftermath

The United States presidential election of 1876 was one of the most contentious in American history, with Rutherford B. Hayes facing off against Samuel J. Tilden. The election was marked by disputes over electoral votes in several states, including Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina. The Compromise of 1877 ultimately led to Hayes' victory, with the support of Republican Party leaders such as James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur. The aftermath of the election saw the withdrawal of federal troops from the Southern United States and the end of Reconstruction.

Reconstruction and Civil Rights

The presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes marked the end of Reconstruction and the beginning of the Jim Crow era. Hayes' decision to withdraw federal troops from the Southern United States allowed Democratic Party governments to take control of state governments and implement segregationist policies. The Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups continued to intimidate and violence against African Americans, leading to a decline in civil rights for African Americans. Notable figures such as Frederick Douglass and Ida B. Wells spoke out against these injustices, while others, including Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois, advocated for education and economic empowerment as a means of achieving civil rights.

Cabinet and Administration

The cabinet of Rutherford B. Hayes included notable figures such as William M. Evarts as United States Secretary of State, John Sherman as United States Secretary of the Treasury, and George W. McCrary as United States Secretary of War. Hayes also appointed Stanford Newel as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands and James Russell Lowell as United States Ambassador to Spain. The administration of Hayes was marked by a commitment to civil service reform and the establishment of the United States Civil Service Commission. Additionally, Hayes was influenced by the ideas of Carl Schurz and Charles Francis Adams Jr., who advocated for merit-based appointments and limited government intervention. Category:Presidencies of the United States