What crucial outcome did the Compromise of 1877 have for the Southern states?

The Compromise of 1877 marked the end of Reconstruction, a critical era following the Civil War aimed at rebuilding the South and ensuring civil rights for newly freed African Americans. This agreement effectively resolved the disputed 1876 presidential election between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel J. Tilden. In exchange for conceding the presidency to Hayes, Republicans agreed to withdraw federal troops from the South.

The withdrawal of these troops resulted in a significant shift in power dynamics in Southern states. Without federal enforcement, Southern states were free to enact laws that suppressed the rights of African Americans, leading to the establishment of Jim Crow laws and the disenfranchisement of Black voters. The end of Reconstruction also allowed Southern Democrats, often referred to as "Redeemers," to regain political control and implement policies that reinforced segregation and white supremacy.

While the other outcomes listed may have relevant historical implications, they do not capture the primary consequence of the Compromise of 1877 as it pertains to Southern states, which was the definitive conclusion of Reconstruction efforts and the subsequent regression in civil rights advancements.