Was the freedmen's bureau successfuL?
The Freedmen's Bureau faced wide-spread opposition and was both undermanned and underfunded, therefore achieving very few results despite their many objectives.
Although the purpose of the Freedmen's Bureau was to bring economic, political, and social equality to African Americans, they faced wide-spread opposition throughout the Southern states. Many federal representatives in Southern communities were subjected to violence and ridicule by whites, including terror organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan. Southerners often believed that agents from the bureau were simply interfering in local affairs by assisting blacks, and refused to accept those who supported racial equality.
The Freedmen' Bureau was established in 1865 and dismantled in 1872. Over the course of its seven year existence, the most agents the bureau ever had was about 900 - only 900 agents to regulate the eleven Confederate state plus the border states of Maryland, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Washington D.C. Although the Freedmen's Bureau had many goals, very few could be carried out due to lack of funding and resources. While the bureau attempted to provide social surfaces including food, clothing, and medical care to all African Americans, due to insufficient funds from the federal government it was nearly impossible to support the nearly 4 million former slaves.
During its years of operation, the Freedmen's Bureau established schools and hospitals, negotiated labor contracts for freedmen, settled labor disputes, helped legalize marriage for former slaves, and assisted black veterans. However, after a short seven year existence, it failed to provide long-term protection for African Americans. Despite its many initiatives, few were successful and none were able to ensure racial equality for African Americans.
During its years of operation, the Freedmen's Bureau established schools and hospitals, negotiated labor contracts for freedmen, settled labor disputes, helped legalize marriage for former slaves, and assisted black veterans. However, after a short seven year existence, it failed to provide long-term protection for African Americans. Despite its many initiatives, few were successful and none were able to ensure racial equality for African Americans.