Rutherford B. Hayes Political Cartoon Analysis

Introduction: Rutherford B. Hayes was the 19th President of the United States. He was elected in 1876 and is often credited with the end of Reconstruction. This activity features three political cartoons and analysis questions based on the politics of reconstruction, the 1876 campaign, and the election.

Directions: Watch the 1876 Campaign Gallery tour and fill out the worksheet. Then read through the KEY TERMS and HISTORICAL ACTORS lists below and answer the questions based on the political cartoons.

KEY TERMS

Carpet Baggers – Nicknamed for carpetbags, an item used as luggage at the time, these were poor Northerners who moved to the South after the Civil War. Some sought to profit off of the South’s post-war condition – giving them their negative reputation, but many of these Northerners promoted civil rights and education for former slaves.

Compromise of 1877- This was a term coined in the 1940s by a historian who argued that Republicans traded economic improvements in the South in exchange for the presidency. The contested electoral returns were judged by a 15 man Electoral Commission who determined Hayes had won the election. But when some Democrats threatened to halt the Commission's decision, some argue that Republicans bargained with Democrats to remove federal support of the remaining two Republican state governments in the South in exchange for the presidency. Since these were the last two Republican Southern state governments, historians have often determined this to be the end of Reconstruction.

Reconstruction – The period following the American Civil War from 1865-1877. Legislative acts were passed to re-establish the Southern state as a part of the nation and promote civil rights for African Americans.

HISTORICAL ACTORS

Ulysses S. Grant – 6th Commanding General of the United States Army and 18th President of the United States (1869-1877), native of Ohio

Rutherford B. Hayes – Brigadier General (USV) United States Army, Member of U.S. House of Representatives (1865-1867), 29th and 32nd Governor of Ohio (1868-1872, 1876-1877), native of Ohio

Samuel J. Tilden – Corporate Counsel of New York City, Chair of the New York Democratic Party (1866-1874), 2th Governor of New York (1875-1876), native of New York state

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums | Spiegel Grove | Fremont, OH 43420 | 419-332-2081 Two part cartoon showing: woman, "the Solid South", carrying Ulysses S. Grant in a carpet bag marked "carpet bag and bayonet rule"; Rutherford B. Hayes plowing under the carpet bag & bayonets with a plow marked "Let'em alone policy”. – Library of Congress https://www.loc.gov/resource/cph.3g02623/

1. What do the chains on “The Solid South” represent?

2. Does it look like Grant’s Reconstruction policies are successful? For who?

3. Compare what Hayes is doing to what Grant is doing in the cartoon. What does the cartoon of Hayes tell us about the South after the end of Reconstruction?

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums | Spiegel Grove | Fremont, OH 43420 | 419-332-2081 A crude but charming comic send-up of 1876 Republican campaign strategy. Democratic candidate Samuel J. Tilden and an unidentified man stand fishing on the left bank of a river…On the opposite bank stand Rutherford B. Hayes and Republican incumbent Ulysses S. Grant, obviously less successful. Grant advises Hayes, "I guess that reform bait won't work this side. Better try an anti-Catholic worm." – Library of Congress https://www.loc.gov/resource/cph.3b37090/

1. Why would Grant offer this advice in the cartoon?

2. Refer to the video of the 1876 Campaign tour - what might the Hayes campaign highlight about Rutherford instead of attacking Tilden?

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums | Spiegel Grove | Fremont, OH 43420 | 419-332-2081 From N.Y. Daily Graphic June 26, 1877 "Alas, the Woes of Childhood.>> Sammy Tilden-- "Boo-Hoo! Ruthy Hayes's got my presidency, and won't give it to me." – Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums

1. This cartoon is titled “Alas, the Woes of Childhood”, what are some details you see that support this title? Provide at least 3 examples.

2. Why is Tilden saying “Hayes’s got my presidency”? How did Hayes “get his presidency”?

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums | Spiegel Grove | Fremont, OH 43420 | 419-332-2081