Freedmen and the Freedman’s Bureau: Needs and Actions

This lesson plan is a limited one-day use of primary sources to assess the goals, actions, and efffects of the Freedmen's Bureau in the context of Reconstruction. It is targeted mainly at 5th and 8th graders. The Freedmen's Bureau is not directly included in the High School US History Standards, although the lesson can be used in a general Reconstruction unit.

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Freedmen and the Freedman’s Bureau: Needs and Actions
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Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives: 

In the course of the lesson, students will:

  • Understand the impact of the Freedmen’s Bureau
  • Explore challenges faced by the newly‐freed slaves
Essential and guiding questions: 
  • What challenges did newly‐freed slaves face after the Civil War ended?    
  • How did the Freedman’s Bureau help the newly‐freed slaves?    

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Understanding
Extension suggestions: 

As an exit ticket, classwork assignment, or test question, have students review challenges faced by freedmen and women and decide if they think the services provided by the Bureau were effective.

Helpful Hints

Materials Needed:

  • Correspondence from William G. Brownlow regarding endorsement of the franchise
  • Freedman Employment Office form
  • Ordinance Ratifying Marriages of Ex-slaves and Freedmen
  • *Unpleasant conditions in Nashville for Northern men and freedmen
  • The Freedmen's Bureau
  • Teaching The Freedmen
  • Individual transportation order #67101 for Angeline Taylor 
  • Individual transportation order #67122 for Anthony DeGraft
  • Individual transportation order #67108 for Mary Phinny and Child
  • Memphis Colored Orphan Asylum
  • *The first vote
  • Fisk University
  • *Questions to agents of benevolent societies
  • Freedmen's Bureau Project/Shirt FBureau introduction
  • National Archives Freedmen's Bureau brochure