What did the Compromise of 1877 signify in American history?

The Compromise of 1877 is significant in American history primarily because it marked the end of the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. This compromise was an informal, unwritten deal that settled the contentious presidential election of 1876 between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel J. Tilden. To resolve the deadlock, Democrats agreed to concede the presidency to Hayes in exchange for the withdrawal of federal troops from the South, effectively ending Reconstruction.

This withdrawal led to the dismantling of the protections that had been afforded to newly freed African Americans, allowing Southern states to enact discriminatory laws and effectively return to a system of racial segregation and oppression. Thus, the Compromise of 1877 is viewed as a pivotal moment that shaped the political landscape of the United States, as it not only concluded the federal effort to promote civil rights in the South post-war but also set a precedent for racial policies and Democratic dominance in the region for decades to come.