Founding of the Freedmen’s Bureau
Who was involved? Think about the people or groups who were involved and affected by this event.
The Freedmen's Bureau was established after the American Civil War in 1865. It was an agency within the United States Department of War that aimed to assist the newly emancipated African American population and other individuals who had been displaced or marginalized by the war. A number of individuals and groups were involved and affected by the founding of the Freedmen's Bureau.
1. African Americans: The primary beneficiaries of the Freedmen's Bureau were the newly freed African Americans. The bureau provided assistance in various forms, including education, health care, employment, and legal representation, to help them transition into post-slavery life and secure their rights as citizens.
2. Union Army Officers: Union army officers played a significant role in the founding and operations of the Freedmen's Bureau. Many officers saw the need to provide aid and support to the newly freed population, and they worked with the federal government to establish the bureau and oversee its activities.
3. Federal Government: The federal government, particularly the executive branch and Congress, were involved in the establishment of the Freedmen's Bureau. President Abraham Lincoln played a key role in advocating for the bureau's creation, and Congress passed the Freedmen's Bureau Act to authorize its existence and functions.
4. Southern Whites: The establishment of the Freedmen's Bureau had a significant impact on the white population in the South. Many southern whites resented the presence and influence of the bureau, viewing it as an intrusion on their perceived authority and a threat to the racial hierarchy established during slavery.
5. Northern Philanthropists and Organizations: Various philanthropists and organizations from the North, such as the American Missionary Association and the Freedmen's Aid Society, supported and worked alongside the Freedmen's Bureau. They provided additional resources, funding, and assistance to help the bureau achieve its goals.
6. Confederate States and Soldiers: The Confederate states and soldiers who had fought against the Union during the Civil War were affected by the establishment of the Freedmen's Bureau as it represented a shift in power dynamics and the beginning of Reconstruction. The bureau's presence and activities signaled federal intervention in the affairs of the formerly secessionist Confederacy.
7. Native Americans: While the Freedmen's Bureau primarily focused on providing aid to African Americans, it also extended its services to Native Americans who had been displaced or affected by the war. The bureau assisted Native American refugees and individuals who had faced discrimination or hardship during the conflict.