The Freedman’s Bureau & the Emergence of the KKK Presentation by Robert Martinez Primary Content Source: Reconstructing America by Joy Hakim Images as cited. http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/slavery/freedmans-bureau.jpg

Reconstruction The period after the Civil War, in which the South attempts to rebuild. In addition, this era represents the manner in which the southern states were to be re-admitted back into the Union. http://www.history2u.com/richmond_ruins.jpg

After the assassination of Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. The Vice-President Andrew Johnson assumes the presidency. http://www.americaslibrary.gov/assets/jb/civil/jb_civil_lincoln_1_e.jpg

During the first two years of Reconstruction, President Andrew Johnson was in control. That time is called “presidential reconstruction.” http://www.authentichistory.com/postcivilwar/cartoons/18660000_Andrew_Johnson_01.jpg http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1864/governor-andrew-johnson.jpg

In the beginning, things seemed to go well, Congress had created a Freedman’s Bureau. It was to help the newly freed blacks. They needed food, clothing, and shelter. http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/slavery/freedmans-bureau.jpg

The Freedman’s Bureau began opening schools The Freedman’s Bureau began opening schools. In the years of the Confederacy, Southern states had laws making it a crime to teach slaves to read and write. Now, as free people, they were thirsty for knowledge. http://www.nathanielturner.com/images/New_Folder/fremenbur.jpg

But it’s hard to learn if you’re hungry, and many Southerners were hungry. Their farms were in terrible shape. The wheat crop failed in 1865. It didn’t do much better the next year. http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/slavery/freedmans-bureau.jpg

The Freedman’s Bureau kept most people from starving The Freedman’s Bureau kept most people from starving. Clothing was distributed. In some places more of its help went to whites than blacks. http://www.fivay.org/freedmen2.jpg

Northern soldiers kept order Northern soldiers kept order. Just looking at those blue uniforms upset many Southerners. And some whites couldn’t accept the idea of a society where people were equal. http://www.pccwrt.addr.com/images/2006_Union-Troops-Church.jpg

Thousands of Southerners left the country for Mexico and South America Thousands of Southerners left the country for Mexico and South America. Former Confederate General Robert E. Lee was not pleased to see Southerners leave the United States. http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/robert-e-lee-pictures/General-Robert-e-lee.jpg

“Virginia has need of all her sons and can ill afford to spare you … Abandon all these local animosities and make your sons Americans.” – General Robert E. Lee http://www.old-picture.com/civil-war/pictures/General-Robert-E-Lee.jpg

Most Americans put the war behind them Most Americans put the war behind them. White Southerners were willing to be good U.S. citizens, except when it came to treating their black fellow citizens fairly. http://www.hist.umn.edu/~sargent/1308/freedman%20family.jpg

Every Southern state passed laws that discriminated against blacks Every Southern state passed laws that discriminated against blacks. The laws were called “black codes.” They made blacks practically slaves again. http://www.nps.gov/archive/bowa/bowajpg/lynch.jpg

http://www.hist.umn.edu/~sargent/1308/freedman-2.jpg

The black codes gave whites almost unlimited power The black codes gave whites almost unlimited power. No Southern state would establish public schools for blacks. http://cla.calpoly.edu/~lcall/204/recon_how_it_works.jpg

Some whites put masks over their faces and burned black churches and schools. They terrorized and killed blacks. http://www.martinfrost.ws/htmlfiles/kkk1.jpg

http://www.sitemason.com/files/bbJJmM/kkk_old2_f.jpg

http://www.kshs.org/cool2/graphics/kkk1.jpg

http://www. authentichistory http://www.authentichistory.com/postcivilwar/artifacts/18700000c_KKK_Poster.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaman683/2503125737/

These were members of a newly formed hate organization, the Ku Klux Klan, and they didn’t have the courage to show their faces. The state governments did not bring them to justice. http://www.southdakotamagazine.com/word/wp-content/usakkkt.jpg

President Johnson urged the Southern states to protect the freedmen and freedwomen’s rights. But he didn’t do anything to see that they were protected. http://www.theseminal.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/andrew-johnson.thumbnail.jpg