What was the purpose of "waving the bloody shirt" during the 1876 election?

The phrase "waving the bloody shirt" refers to a political strategy employed during the election of 1876, which was aimed at reminding voters of the sacrifices made during the Civil War. The "bloody shirt" symbolizes the bloodshed and national turmoil caused by the war, and by invoking it, Republican candidates sought to associate the Democratic Party with the war's casualties and the Southern rebellion. Essentially, this tactic served to galvanize support for the Republicans by evoking emotions tied to patriotism and the sacrifices made in fighting against the Confederacy. Thus, the purpose of "waving the bloody shirt" was to create a negative association between the Democrats and the consequences of the Civil War, reinforcing the narrative that Democrats were linked with division and chaos during a time when the nation was striving for unity and recovery.