The Hard-Fought Presidential Election of 1880: A Tale of Political Maneuvers and Controversial Outcomes

The Last Lincoln Republican: The Presidential Election of 1880 (American Presidential Elections)

by Christopher Coker

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6278 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	311 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

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The presidential election of 1880 was one of the most closely contested and controversial in American history. The election pitted two formidable candidates against each other: James A. Garfield, a Republican, and Winfield Scott Hancock, a Democrat. The campaign was marked by intense political maneuvering, allegations of voter fraud, and a disputed electoral college vote.

The Candidates

James A. Garfield was a former Union general and congressman from Ohio. He was a skilled politician and orator, and he appealed to voters who were looking for a strong and experienced leader.

Winfield Scott Hancock was a former Union general and military governor of Louisiana. He was a popular figure among Democrats, and he appealed to voters who were looking for a change from Republican rule.

The Campaign

The campaign between Garfield and Hancock was one of the most negative and divisive in American history. Both candidates attacked each other's character and policies, and they made numerous accusations of corruption and misconduct.

One of the most controversial issues of the campaign was the issue of civil rights. Republicans accused Democrats of trying to roll back the gains that had been made for African Americans during the Reconstruction era. Democrats, on the other hand, accused Republicans of being too soft on the issue of race.

The Election

The election was held on November 2, 1880. The results were close, and the outcome was not decided until after a bitter and protracted dispute over the electoral college vote.

Garfield won the popular vote by a margin of about 10,000 votes. However, Hancock won the electoral college vote by a margin of 191 to 185.

The disputed electoral college vote came from the state of Florida. The results of the election in Florida were contested, and both parties accused the other of voter fraud.

The Electoral Commission

In order to resolve the dispute over the electoral college vote, Congress created a special commission. The commission was composed of 15 members, and it was tasked with determining the legitimate winner of the election.

The commission voted along party lines, and it awarded the electoral college vote to Garfield. This gave Garfield a total of 214 electoral votes, which was more than the 200 votes needed to win the presidency.

Controversies

The election of 1880 was one of the most controversial in American history. There were numerous allegations of voter fraud, and the electoral college vote was disputed. The election also marked the end of the Reconstruction era, and it was a major setback for the cause of civil rights.

Aftermath

Garfield's victory in the election of 1880 was a major turning point in American history. The election marked the end of the Reconstruction era, and it ushered in a new era of conservative Republican rule.

Garfield was assassinated in 1881, and he was succeeded by his vice president, Chester A. Arthur. Arthur was a more conservative president than Garfield, and he reversed many of the policies of the Reconstruction era.

The presidential election of 1880 was one of the most closely contested and controversial in American history. The election was marked by intense political maneuvering, allegations of voter fraud, and a disputed electoral college vote. The election also marked the end of the Reconstruction era, and it was a major setback for the cause of civil rights.

References

1. James A. Garfield
2. Winfield Scott Hancock
3. United States presidential election of 1880

The Last Lincoln Republican: The Presidential Election of 1880 (American Presidential Elections)

by Christopher Coker

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6278 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	311 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE