what was the purpose of the freedmen bureau
The Freedmen's Bureau, officially known as the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, was established by Congress in 1865 during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. The purpose of the Freedmen's Bureau was to provide assistance to newly emancipated slaves, including food, shelter, clothing, education, and medical care.
The primary goals of the Freedmen's Bureau were to help former slaves transition to freedom and citizenship, ensure their rights were protected, and help them gain economic independence. The Bureau also played a role in reuniting families separated by slavery, overseeing labor contracts, providing legal assistance, and helping to establish schools and hospitals for freedmen.
Overall, the purpose of the Freedmen's Bureau was to assist formerly enslaved people in rebuilding their lives and transitioning to a new social and economic order in the aftermath of the Civil War.