Freedmen's Bureau Case Study

Identification and Evaluation of Sources
This investigation focuses on the Freedmen’s Bureau established in 1865 and lasting till 1872, and will discuss “What role did the Freedmen’s Bureau play in the South during the Reconstruction era of the United States?” I will examine the programs established to aid freedmen in the South during the Reconstruction era. History texts and websites will be used to help develop the investigation that will analyze the effectiveness of the United States Department of War’s effort in attempts to change society in the former Confederate States. Source A is a secondary source, a case study written by Major William H. Burks, chosen for the detailed analysis due to its ability to convey how the organization was
The bureau’s main purpose was to consider the needs and provide relief to the millions of former slaves in the Southern, Confederate, parts of the United States. As many of the slaves made their transition from bondage to freedom, the bureau proved to be very helpful in making the transition much easier than if the slaves were left to transition alone. Many Northerners recognized the bureau and created many small organizations during the war. The Northerners influenced the United States Congress to aid the relief of freed slaves and take on the role of providing for their welfare in the early 1860s. The bureau was basically set in place to help previous slaves and now free people to acquire land, enfranchise them, and aid them towards the creating of their own
Southern whites were very afraid of the order of the emaciation act in the South because the majority of them were not in support for full social and political equality for the freed slaves. To eliminate the conflicting visions and hatred that was white supremacy, the Freedmen’s bureau set up official offices in all of the southern states. However, this was very difficult to maintain due to the lack of volunteer support and financial aid. The bureau workers had to do a lot of influencing to get local southern governments and southern to recognize the political and social equality. There was even trouble in judicial hearings which ultimately led the bureau to having to look over state and local affairs themselves, while also in the midst of the uncooperative southern