The Freedmen's Bureau

The Freedmen’s Bureau was a U.S. government agency established in 1865 to assist newly freed African Americans after the Civil War. Its mission was to help former slaves and impoverished white Southerners by providing food, shelter, education, and legal support. It also worked to negotiate labor contracts and help African Americans gain property rights. While it faced many challenges and limited resources, the Bureau played a crucial role in supporting African Americans during Reconstruction, aiming to facilitate their transition to freedom and integration into American society.