Freedmen's Bureau
What's the official name of the Freedmen's bureau?
Bureau of Refugees
What was the purpose of Black Codes?
To restrict freedmen’s rights and maintain white dominance.
What political power did African Americans have under the constitution of 1868?
They gained voting rights and could hold public office.
What was an important legacy of Reconstruction?
Expanded civil rights and public education for African Americans.
After Appomattox Courthouse, what did southern state legislatures do? Did this work?
Civil Rights Act & 14th Amendment.
Who's controlled the Freedmen's Bureau
The US Army
What led to the election of the Radical Republicans?
Backlash against Johnson’s lenient Reconstruction policies.
What offices did African Americans hold? What were the only ones they did not hold?
They held various state and local offices but did not serve as governor.
What were slaves doing secretly prior to the Civil War?
Learning to read and write despite laws prohibiting it.
What were the two goals of the Radical Republicans?
Protect freedmen’s rights, punish Confederates.
What was the purpose of the Freedmen's Bureau?
Assist Freedmen and poor Southerners after the war.
How did the Freedmen’s Bureau lead to economic dependency for the freedmen and poor whites?
Provided aid but led to reliance on sharecropping.
How were they characterized?
Often portrayed as inexperienced or unfit by critics, despite their contributions.
What groups established schools?
Freedmen’s Bureau, churches, missionary groups, and Northern aid organizations.
Explain the Congressional Plan.
Military rule, forced South to ratify the 14th Amendment.
Whom was the Freedmen's Bureau meant to serve?
It was meant to serve Freedmen and poor white men
What were the main points of Lincoln’s plan? What did he hope would happen?
10% loyalty oath, abolish slavery—goal: quick reunification.
From where in society did they actually come?
Many were educated leaders, ministers, or skilled workers from their communities.
What schools were established? Who founded them?
Historically Black colleges and schools like Howard University (founded by the Freedmen’s Bureau) and Fisk University (established by missionaries).
What two things did Johnson oppose that led to the Radical Republicans taking over Congress?
Civil Rights Act & 14th Amendment.
How did President Johnson affect the land distribution process?
President Johnson returned the confiscated land to former Confederates.
What points from Lincoln’s plan did Johnson keep? What did he also add?
Kept leniency added pardons for Confederates.
What legacy did the Republican government leave during Reconstruction?
Expanded public education, improved infrastructure, and promoted civil rights.
Who taught in these schools? How were they treated?
Northern missionaries, freedmen, and some white Southerners—they faced hostility and violence from opponents of Reconstruction.
In what district was South Carolina?
Second District (with North Carolina).