Rutherford B. Hayes

Hayes won the disputed 1876 presidential election against Democrat Samuel Tilden. The Electoral Commission awarded Hayes all disputed electoral votes, making him president despite Tilden winning the popular vote.

Hayes issued an executive order banning federal employees from political activities and requiring merit-based appointments. His efforts faced opposition from Congress and were largely ineffective.

Hayes agreed to the Compromise of 1877, which ended Reconstruction in exchange for Democratic acceptance of his presidency. He withdrew federal troops from the South, effectively ending Reconstruction.

Hayes ordered the removal of federal troops from Louisiana and South Carolina, the last states under military occupation. This ended federal protection for African American civil rights and allowed white supremacist rule.

Hayes used federal troops to suppress the Great Railroad Strike, which began in West Virginia and spread nationwide. The strike was crushed, resulting in over 100 deaths and widespread property damage.

Hayes signed the Bland-Allison Act over his veto, requiring the Treasury to purchase silver and coin it into dollars. The act aimed to inflate the currency and help debtors.