Imposing a System of White Supremacy

White supremacists sealed their control in a compromise where they backed President Rutherford B. Hayes in exchange for the removal of federal troops from Mississippi. In 1875, legislators created the First Mississippi Plan, assigning voter registration to White registrars and redrawing districts to favor Whites. Klan intimidation became commonplace, causing a drastic decline in Black voters.

Pictured: A photograph of a KKK meeting. The photo is light brown in color, and has a hole on the right side. In the center of the image is a large group of Klan members, all in white robes. The group appears to be in a diamond or square shape. In the background, a cross stands against dark scenery.

Credit: MDAH Hammond Studio Collection