A Level History - America - Practice Exam

What was the purpose of the Freedmen's Bureau Act?

1. To provide healthcare and social support for African Americans

2. To enact tariffs on Southern goods

3. To promote industrial growth in the North

4. To facilitate land distribution

The correct answer is: To provide healthcare and social support for African Americans

The Freedmen's Bureau Act, established in 1865, aimed primarily to provide assistance to formerly enslaved African Americans and impoverished whites in the South after the Civil War. The Bureau's services included healthcare, education, and social support, which were crucial for helping these populations transition from slavery to freedom and to protect their rights. The focus on healthcare and social support reflects the urgent need to address the myriad challenges faced by African Americans in the post-war South, including widespread poverty, lack of education, and inadequate access to medical care. While other aspects, such as land distribution, were also components of post-war Reconstruction efforts, the primary mission of the Freedmen's Bureau was to ensure that the recently freed individuals had basic necessities and support systems in place.