Directions: Essays should be written in a fully developed paragraph. Each response should include a topic sentence that includes a thesis statement that answers the question. The thesis should be supported by factual evidence, specific details, and analysis that prove the thesis to be correct.
Compare the goals and outcomes of the Freedmen’s Bureau and the Ku Klux Klan. Use at least 3 examples to compare.
The goals and outcomes of the Freedmen's Bureau and the Ku Klux Klan were vastly different in nature and intent. The Freedmen's Bureau was established by Congress in 1865 with the objective of aiding newly freed slaves and promoting their welfare, while the Ku Klux Klan was a secret society formed by white supremacists with the aim of terrorizing and suppressing African Americans. First and foremost, the Freedmen's Bureau sought to provide education to former slaves, establishing numerous schools throughout the South. For instance, in 1865, over 1,000 schools were opened, directly benefiting thousands of African American children and adults who had been previously denied educational opportunities. In contrast, the Ku Klux Klan employed violence and intimidation to undermine and destroy the progress made by African Americans. This can be seen in their attacks on schools and teachers, such as the bombing of a black school in New Orleans in 1866, which resulted in the deaths of numerous innocent children. Moreover, while the Freedmen's Bureau offered assistance to former slaves in finding employment and securing land, the Ku Klux Klan actively worked to prevent African Americans from gaining economic independence. They targeted successful black-owned businesses, burning them down and threatening their owners, resulting in economic insecurity and hindering the development of black communities. Lastly, the Freedmen's Bureau sought to protect the civil rights of African Americans, taking legal action against those who violated their rights. Conversely, the Ku Klux Klan aimed to suppress and eradicate the civil rights of African Americans through acts of domestic terrorism and social intimidation. In conclusion, the goals and outcomes of the Freedmen's Bureau and the Ku Klux Klan were diametrically opposed. The former sought to uplift and empower African Americans through education, economic support, and defense of civil rights, while the latter aimed to maintain white supremacy through violence, economic sabotage, and the denial of basic rights to African Americans.
