After Ulysses S. Grant, the presidency was held by Rutherford B. Hayes. He served as the 19th President of the United States from March 4, 1877, to March 4, 1881.
Rutherford B. Hayes was elected in a highly contentious and disputed election. The election of 1876 pitted Hayes, the Republican candidate, against Samuel J. Tilden, the Democratic candidate. Tilden initially appeared to win; however, the results in several states were challenged, leading to a political compromise known as the Compromise of 1877. In this arrangement, Hayes was awarded the presidency in exchange for agreeing to withdraw federal troops from the South, effectively ending the Reconstruction era.
Hayes’s presidency focused on various reforms, including efforts to cleanse the government of corruption and promote civil service reform. His administration also sought to advance civil rights for African Americans, although progress in these areas was limited.