What role did the u. s. supreme court play in ending reconstruction? the court restricted the scope of the fourteenth amendment by saying it protected only the rights of african americans. the court restricted the scope of the fourteenth amendment by leaving its enforcement up to the states. the court overturned the compromise of 1877, because congress changed the results of the election of 1876. the court overturned the compromise of 1877, because congress withdrew federal troops from the south.