The purpose of the Freedmen's Bureau, formally known as the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, was to assist formerly enslaved African Americans and poor whites in the aftermath of the American Civil War. Established by Congress in 1865, the bureau provided various forms of aid, including food, clothing, healthcare, and education to help the newly freed slaves transition to freedom and gain economic independence. Additionally, it helped with legal issues such as resolving disputes, negotiating labor contracts, and protecting the rights of freedmen. The Freedmen's Bureau also played a crucial role in the establishment of schools and helped facilitate the redistribution of land to the freedmen.
