APUSH: Period 5, 1844-1877 - The Freedmen's Bureau and 13th, 14th, 15th Amendments

Why This Matters

The Freedmen's Bureau and the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments are crucial components of the Reconstruction Era, a pivotal period in American history that redefined the nation's identity and politics. The Reconstruction Era's significance lies in its attempt to redefine American identity, particularly in the context of American Identity (AP theme). The Freedmen's Bureau and these amendments aimed to address the consequences of slavery and ensure the rights of African Americans, but ultimately, their success was limited, and the era's legacy continues to shape American politics and society.

Key Events & People

• Freedmen's Bureau (1865): Established by Congress to provide assistance to former slaves, including food, clothing, and education.
• Thaddeus Stevens (1792-1868): Radical Republican leader who advocated for equal rights for African Americans and land redistribution for former slaves.
• Reconstruction Acts (1867): Divided the South into five military districts, each governed by a federal general, to ensure the implementation of Reconstruction policies.
• 13th Amendment (1865): Abolished slavery throughout the United States.
• 14th Amendment (1868): Defined citizenship and guaranteed equal protection under the law for all citizens, including African Americans.
• 15th Amendment (1870): Protected the right to vote for African American men.
• Andrew Johnson (1808-1875): President who clashed with Congress over Reconstruction policies, leading to his impeachment.
• Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885): President who signed the 15th Amendment and supported the Freedmen's Bureau.
• Hiram Revels (1827-1901): First African American senator, elected in 1870.
• Fisk University (1866): Founded by the Freedmen's Bureau to provide education to African Americans.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The Emancipation Proclamation (1863) led to the establishment of the Freedmen's Bureau.
• Effect: The Freedmen's Bureau provided essential assistance to former slaves, but its resources were limited, and its effectiveness was hindered by opposition from Southern whites.
• Long-term consequence: The Freedmen's Bureau's limitations contributed to the rise of white supremacist groups and the eventual collapse of Reconstruction.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Reconstruction Era*: Period (1865-1877) following the Civil War during which the South was rebuilt and African Americans were granted rights.
• *Radical Republicans*: Group of Republicans who advocated for equal rights for African Americans and land redistribution for former slaves.
• *Jim Crow laws*: State and local laws that enforced racial segregation and disenfranchisement of African Americans.
• *Freedmen's Bureau*: Organization established by Congress to provide assistance to former slaves.
• *Reconstruction Acts*: Laws that divided the South into five military districts to ensure the implementation of Reconstruction policies.
• *14th Amendment*: Defined citizenship and guaranteed equal protection under the law for all citizens.
• *15th Amendment*: Protected the right to vote for African American men.
• *Ku Klux Klan*: White supremacist group that terrorized African Americans and their supporters during Reconstruction.
• *Carpetbaggers*: Northerners who moved to the South during Reconstruction to take advantage of economic opportunities.
• *Scalawags*: Southerners who collaborated with the federal government during Reconstruction.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Freedmen's Bureau was established by President Lincoln.
• Correction: The Freedmen's Bureau was established by Congress in 1865, after Lincoln's death.
• What students often get wrong: The 14th Amendment only applied to African American men.
• Correction: The 14th Amendment applied to all citizens, including African American men and women.
• What students often get wrong: The Reconstruction Era ended with the Compromise of 1877.
• Correction: The Reconstruction Era ended with the withdrawal of federal troops from the South in 1877, which led to the rise of Jim Crow laws.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• DBQ: Analyze the role of the Freedmen's Bureau in the Reconstruction Era. Use evidence from the Freedmen's Bureau reports, the 13th Amendment, and the Reconstruction Acts to support your argument.
  • Evidence: Freedmen's Bureau reports, 13th Amendment, Reconstruction Acts
• LEQ: How did the 14th Amendment contribute to the Reconstruction Era's goals of equality and citizenship? Use evidence from the 14th Amendment, the Freedmen's Bureau, and the Ku Klux Klan to support your argument.
  • Evidence: 14th Amendment, Freedmen's Bureau, Ku Klux Klan
• DBQ: Evaluate the impact of the 15th Amendment on the Reconstruction Era. Use evidence from the 15th Amendment, the Freedmen's Bureau, and the Reconstruction Acts to support your argument.
  • Evidence: 15th Amendment, Freedmen's Bureau, Reconstruction Acts

Quick Self?Check

1. What was the primary purpose of the Freedmen's Bureau?
   • Correct answer: To provide assistance to former slaves.
   • Explanation: The Freedmen's Bureau was established by Congress to provide food, clothing, and education to former slaves.
2. Which amendment defined citizenship and guaranteed equal protection under the law for all citizens?
   • Correct answer: 14th Amendment.
   • Explanation: The 14th Amendment defined citizenship and guaranteed equal protection under the law for all citizens, including African Americans.
3. What was the name of the first African American senator?
   • Correct answer: Hiram Revels.
   • Explanation: Hiram Revels was the first African American senator, elected in 1870.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The Freedmen's Bureau was established in 1865.
• The 13th Amendment abolished slavery throughout the United States.
• The 14th Amendment defined citizenship and guaranteed equal protection under the law for all citizens.
• The 15th Amendment protected the right to vote for African American men.
• The Reconstruction Acts divided the South into five military districts.
• The Ku Klux Klan was a white supremacist group that terrorized African Americans and their supporters during Reconstruction.
• Hiram Revels was the first African American senator.
• The Compromise of 1877 ended the Reconstruction Era.
• The Freedmen's Bureau was responsible for providing education to African Americans.
• The 14th Amendment applied to all citizens, including African American men and women.