What was the purpose of the Freedmen's Bureau established in 1865?

The Freedmen's Bureau was established in 1865 with the primary purpose of assisting freed slaves and poor whites in the South during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. This agency aimed to provide critical support in various areas, including food, housing, education, and medical care. The Bureau played a significant role in helping formerly enslaved individuals transition to a life of freedom, assisting them in acquiring land, securing employment, and obtaining schooling.

The Bureau's initiatives were focused on addressing the immediate needs and challenges faced by African Americans and impoverished white citizens in the South, aiming to promote civil rights and improve their social and economic conditions. This intervention was seen as essential for rebuilding the South and ensuring that freedmen could enjoy the rights and opportunities promised to them after the abolition of slavery.