who are people who were involved in Founding of the Freedmen’s Bureau
The Freedmen's Bureau was established by the United States government in 1865, following the end of the Civil War. It aimed to assist newly freed African Americans in their transition from slavery to freedom. Several key individuals were involved in the founding and implementation of the Freedmen's Bureau:
1. Oliver O. Howard: Oliver Otis Howard was a Union Army general who was appointed as the Bureau's first Commissioner. He played a major role in shaping the Bureau's policies and overseeing its operations.
2. Abraham Lincoln: President Abraham Lincoln signed the Freedmen's Bureau Bill into law on March 3, 1865, just weeks before his assassination. He recognized the need for an organization to provide humanitarian aid and assistance to the millions of newly freed slaves.
3. Andrew Johnson: After Lincoln's assassination, Andrew Johnson became President and took responsibility for implementing the Freedmen's Bureau. However, Johnson had a more lenient attitude towards Reconstruction and clashed with Radical Republicans, leading to conflicts over the Bureau's mission.
4. Radical Republicans: Radical Republicans in Congress played a significant role in establishing the Freedmen's Bureau and advocating for its expansion. Prominent figures among them include Senator Charles Sumner and Representative Thaddeus Stevens.
5. African American Educators and Activists: Many African American educators and activists worked alongside the Bureau in providing education, healthcare, and other forms of assistance to the newly emancipated individuals. Prominent figures in this regard include Frederick Douglass and Hiram Rhodes Revels.
6. Bureau Agents and Officials: The Freedmen's Bureau hired numerous agents and officials who were responsible for carrying out its programs on the ground. These individuals worked directly with African Americans, providing them with aid, settling labor disputes, and overseeing education efforts.