What economic factor contributed to the North's abandonment of the Reconstruction policy in 1876-77?

The economic factor that significantly contributed to the North's abandonment of the Reconstruction policy during 1876-77 was labor unrest in the Northeast. This unrest highlighted the growing tensions and difficulties within the industrialized North, prompting a shift in focus from the political and social issues of Reconstruction in the South to the urgent economic concerns at home. The North was experiencing various labor strikes and demands for better working conditions, and this domestic instability made the Northern public and policymakers less inclined to support ongoing efforts to enforce Reconstruction policies in the South.

As the North's attention turned to resolving its labor issues, interest in Reconstruction waned, leading to a withdrawal of federal support for Reconstruction efforts. This environment allowed Southern states to regain more control over their own governance and to implement policies that would ultimately undermine the rights of newly freed African Americans, marking a significant turning point in the post-Civil War era.

In contrast, while the growth of industrialization in the South, an increase in agricultural production, and a rise in Southern cotton exports were important economic developments of the time, they did not directly reflect the reason for the North's focus shift during the late 1870s. The discontent in the Northern labor market was the primary motivator, steering attention away from the