Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th president of the United States, served from 1877 to 1881 during a pivotal period in American history. His presidency marked the end of Reconstruction and the beginning of the Gilded Age, a time of rapid industrialization and social change.
Hayes came into office following one of the most contentious elections in U.S. history, and his administration faced numerous challenges, from political reform and civil rights issues to labor strikes and currency debates. While his presidency is often remembered for its role in ending Reconstruction, Hayes left a legacy that extended beyond this singular decision.
His efforts to reform civil service, promote education, and maintain monetary stability reflected a commitment to modernizing the nation while navigating the complex political landscape of the post-Civil War era. Though his policies met mixed results, his accomplishments laid the groundwork for significant changes in government and society.
Accomplishments Rutherford B Hayes
1. Ended Reconstruction.
One of the defining aspects of Rutherford B. Hayes’ presidency was his role in ending the era of Reconstruction in the South. This was primarily achieved through the Compromise of 1877, an informal deal that resolved the disputed presidential election.
In exchange for Democratic acceptance of his presidency, Hayes agreed to withdraw federal troops from the remaining Southern states where they were enforcing Reconstruction policies. With the withdrawal of troops, Republican-controlled state governments in the South quickly fell, and Democrats regained power, ushering in the rise of segregationist and discriminatory Jim Crow laws.
Also Read: Facts About Rutherford B Hayes
Although Hayes believed that reconciliation and self-governance would promote national healing, his decision had long-term negative consequences for African Americans, who lost the political protections they had enjoyed during Reconstruction.
2. Oversaw the Compromise of 1877.
The presidential election of 1876 between Hayes and Democrat Samuel Tilden was one of the most contested in U.S. history. Tilden won the popular vote, but neither candidate secured enough electoral votes due to disputes in several key states. The crisis threatened to destabilize the nation until the Compromise of 1877 was brokered.
This agreement allowed Hayes to be declared the winner, but it came with significant concessions, including the removal of federal troops from Southern states and a promise of federal aid for Southern infrastructure.
Although it resolved the immediate crisis and brought Hayes to the presidency, the compromise had lasting effects by abandoning federal efforts to enforce civil rights protections in the South.
3. Supported Civil Service Reform.
During a time when the spoils system dominated U.S. politics, Hayes sought to reform how government jobs were distributed. He believed that public servants should be chosen based on merit, not political loyalty or patronage.
Also Read: Timeline of Rutherford B Hayes
Hayes implemented modest but significant changes, such as issuing an executive order that prohibited federal employees from engaging in partisan political activities. He also appointed reform-minded officials and established guidelines for merit-based hiring, laying the foundation for future civil service reform.
Although Congress resisted large-scale changes during his presidency, Hayes’ efforts directly influenced later legislation, including the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883, which institutionalized these reforms.
4. Advocated for African American Rights (Moderately).
While his withdrawal of federal troops from the South is often viewed as a setback for African American rights, Hayes did attempt to promote educational and economic opportunities for freedmen.
He believed that education was the key to improving the lives of African Americans and sought federal support for schools, particularly in the South.
Hayes also appointed some African Americans to minor federal positions and spoke out against discrimination in his speeches. However, his moderate approach was constrained by the political realities of the time, as Southern Democrats resisted any federal intervention in racial matters. Despite these efforts, the progress made during Reconstruction largely unraveled during his presidency.
5. Initiated the Great Railroad Strike Mediation.
In 1877, Hayes faced the first major national labor strike in U.S. history, triggered by wage cuts for railroad workers. The strike quickly spread, halting rail traffic and sparking violent protests in cities like Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
Hayes ordered federal troops to intervene and restore order, but he also urged business leaders to address workers’ grievances and improve labor conditions. His balanced approach helped end the strike without excessive bloodshed, though tensions between labor and management persisted.
While critics accused him of siding with industry, Hayes’ handling of the crisis demonstrated a pragmatic approach that sought to balance the needs of workers and the nation’s economic stability.
6. Advocated for a Sound Monetary System.
During Hayes’ presidency, debates over monetary policy were fierce, particularly regarding the use of “greenbacks,” or paper currency not backed by gold or silver. Hayes believed in maintaining a stable currency and opposed inflationary policies. He vetoed the Bland-Allison Act, which proposed the coinage of silver to increase the money supply.
Although Congress overrode his veto, Hayes continued to advocate for the gold standard, believing that it was essential for long-term economic stability.
His stance reflected the interests of business leaders and financial institutions, who viewed inflation as a threat to the economy, but it also alienated farmers and debtors who favored easier access to credit through silver coinage.
7. Improved Conditions for Native Americans.
Hayes pursued a relatively progressive policy toward Native Americans compared to some of his predecessors, focusing on assimilation through education and land reform. He supported the establishment of schools for Native children and emphasized teaching them farming and industrial skills.
Hayes believed that integrating Native Americans into mainstream American society would reduce conflicts and improve their quality of life. His administration also promoted the allotment of land to individual Native families, a policy that would later be formalized in the Dawes Act of 1887.
However, his approach still reflected the prevailing paternalistic view that Native cultures should be replaced by American customs, and many Native communities viewed these policies as destructive to their traditional ways of life.
8. Vetoed Anti-Chinese Immigration Legislation.
In 1879, Hayes vetoed a bill that sought to restrict Chinese immigration, which had increased significantly during the California Gold Rush. The bill was driven by labor unions and white workers who blamed Chinese immigrants for job competition and low wages.
Hayes argued that restricting immigration would violate the terms of the Burlingame Treaty with China and damage diplomatic relations. His veto temporarily delayed the implementation of exclusionary policies, but public pressure eventually led to the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882.
Although his stance was unpopular among many laborers and politicians, Hayes demonstrated a commitment to upholding international agreements and opposing racial discrimination.
9. Strengthened the Executive Branch’s Power.
Hayes worked to reassert the independence of the presidency during a period when Congress had been dominant, particularly following the impeachment of Andrew Johnson.
He frequently clashed with Congress over appointments and legislative matters, using his veto power to block bills he opposed, including efforts to expand inflationary currency policies and restrict immigration.
By standing firm on key issues, Hayes helped reinforce the idea that the president had the authority to act independently and protect the public interest. His actions were part of a broader effort to balance the powers of government branches and ensure that the executive branch maintained its constitutional role.
10. Strengthened Education Systems.
Hayes believed that education was essential to national progress and social stability. He particularly emphasized the need to expand educational opportunities in the South, where public school systems had been underfunded and poorly developed following the Civil War.
His administration supported federal funding for schools and worked to improve educational access for African Americans and impoverished rural communities. Although limited in scope, these efforts contributed to the gradual improvement of public education in the South.
Hayes’ belief in education as a unifying and uplifting force was a recurring theme in his speeches and policies, reflecting his broader vision of a more informed and cohesive society.