How did the Compromise of 1877 affect Reconstruction and civil rights protections?

• A. Settled the contested election; federal troops remained in the South to enforce Reconstruction.
• B. Led to the immediate expansion of civil rights protections nationwide.
• C. Settled the contested election; federal troops withdrew; effectively ended Reconstruction and civil rights enforcement in the South.
• D. Created a new federal oversight commission to monitor elections.

Answer: (C)