The gubernatorial election in Georgia on December 19, 1871, was a pivotal event during the Reconstruction era, marked by significant political turmoil and violence.?

Background

In 1868, Republican Rufus Bullock was elected governor of Georgia. His administration faced intense opposition from white Democrats who sought to restore white supremacy and undermine Reconstruction efforts. Amid allegations of corruption and under the threat of impeachment, Bullock resigned and fled the state in October 1871. Following his departure, Benjamin Conley, the president of the state Senate and a Republican, assumed the role of acting governor, as stipulated by the state constitution.?Wikipedia

The 1871 Election

The election held on December 19, 1871, was conducted to fill the governorship. Democrat James Milton Smith, a former Confederate officer and speaker of the Georgia House, was elected governor. His campaign and subsequent election were marred by widespread violence and intimidation, primarily aimed at suppressing African American voters and white Republicans. Paramilitary groups and white supremacist organizations employed tactics such as threats, assaults, and even murders to deter these groups from voting, thereby ensuring a Democratic victory.?

Aftermath

Governor Smith’s election marked a significant shift in Georgia’s political landscape. His administration worked to dismantle many Reconstruction policies, leading to the disenfranchisement of African Americans and the restoration of Democratic dominance in the state. This period set the stage for the implementation of Jim Crow laws and the institutionalization of racial segregation in Georgia.?Wikipedia

The 1871 election exemplifies the broader struggles and conflicts of the Reconstruction era, highlighting the intense resistance to racial equality and the lengths to which opponents of Reconstruction would go to reclaim political power.