Who were the main candidates in the election of 1876?

The election of 1876 was a significant event in American history, primarily due to the contentious and disputed nature of the election results. Rutherford B. Hayes, the Republican candidate, faced off against Samuel J. Tilden, the Democratic candidate. Tilden garnered a significant popular vote lead and was just one electoral vote shy of victory, but the election was marred by allegations of electoral fraud and disputed results in several states.

The context surrounding this election is crucial, as it occurred during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. The resolution of this election led to a compromise that ultimately ended Reconstruction, making it a pivotal moment in U.S. history. This context reinforces why the pairing of Hayes and Tilden is the correct choice, as they were at the center of a national crisis regarding the legitimacy of electoral processes and the political landscape of the time.

The other options reflect candidates from entirely different time periods and contexts in American history, highlighting why they do not pertain to the 1876 election. Lincoln and Douglas were significant figures during the 1860 election, while Jefferson and Adams were foundational figures in the early Republic, and Washington and Jay were critical in the nation's founding years but not related to the election in question. Thus, the selection