Freedmen's schools

Church support After the freedom of slaves in the United States, a few years before the federal government decided to aid the education of African Americans, many schools were created by the local churches and well-wishers from the North. In September 1861 the American Missionary Association (AMA) organized one of the first freedmen schools in Virginia and began their journey in this historic work. The AMA was primarily focused on two things: anti-slavery and missionary work. With this, many accused church denominations of indoctrinating the students, which later was deemed incontestable. Despite fierce opposition, the American Missionary Association continued to lend its support to the education of freedmen and absorbed resources from similar disbanded groups. They also provided teachers funding and locations for schools. But like these other organizations, their support could not continue forever, and the AMA reluctantly pulled away most of their support efforts, leaving their members of the school board and teachers to continue giving what support they could provide. Freedmen's Bureau Another organization that heavily affected freedmen's education was the Freedmen's Bureau. The Freedmen's Bureau was created by congress to aid African Americans in the South; which was a temporary form of government aid that was intended for the general welfare of the recently freed individuals and families - lasting only 6 years. After its establishment in 1865, the Freedmen Bureau Act of June 1866 provided concentrated support from the government to fund education, funneling the assistance of the Freedmen's Bureau primarily towards education. With their support, the Freedmen's schools continued to grow and flourish, but this was only temporary. In 1872 the Freedmen's Bureau disbanded. Because of relentless efforts in education, many states decided that segregation was no longer imperative and funded public schools in which all would learn together. Freedmen schools were no more after this, but what structure they left behind was used to inspire all Americans and added to the arsenal of education in America People • General Oliver Otis Howard: a general from the United States Civil War appointed as the commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau. Mrs. Holley would have her school children write letters to thank sponsors, especially to Ellen T Emerson and the Union Bible Society. • Ellen T Emerson: Emerson was a member of the Union Bible Society. She worked closely with Mrs. Holley to provide the necessary donations for the 'Holley School' to continue in operation. • Edward L Pierce: General in South Carolina who oversaw schools for freedmen at Port Royal. • Martin Luther King Junior: Graduated from Morehouse. == Schools ==

Freedmen schools found mixed support from African Americans, although many were excited about opportunities to be educated, a large number of schools ran on a paid tuition basis and many emancipated people did not have the funds to provide schooling for themselves and their families. In addition, these schools provided a vast and advanced education in subjects such as Greek, Latin, reading, mathematics, and geography. • Savannah, Georgia. • Memphis, Tennessee. • Chattanooga, Tennessee. • Louisville, Kentucky. Colleges • Fortress Monroe. • Port Royal, South Carolina. • Fisk University, Nashville Tennessee. • Talladega College, AL. • Mobile, Alabama • Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, Virginia • Straight University, Louisiana • Berea College, Kentucky • Howard University, Washington D.C. • Wilberforce, Ohio • Morehouse College, Atlanta • Spelman College, Atlanta • Atlanta University • Charleston, South Carolina • Macon Georgia == Backlash ==

From before to after their emancipation, African Americans and other similar races felt the hand of repression which continued for years, they especially felt it regarding education. Even poor white Americans had a serious lack of education and many were illiterate due to social inequality. There was much white pushback against education for freedmen in the south, fearing that it would make it difficult to keep the blacks “in their place” and interfere with their work habits. Many whites in the south also believed African Americans to be “uneducable”, reinforcing the backlash at Freedmen schools. Afro-Creoles found that despite their mostly white complexion, the attitude of the day was against anything nonwhite. With Black Codes, underfunding, and a lack of quality teachers it was a fierce battle for those first schools to begin. Thanks to the help of the Freedmen's Bureau and the AMA they were able to function. But contentions were frequent and the Freedmen's Bureau functioned as part of the War Department of the United States and would often stand peacefully between Blacks and Whites when these contentions arose (See image 2). Many teachers at Freedmen schools got numerous death threats and harm for attempting to teach emancipated African Americans. They relied heavily on the Freedmen's bureau and federal troops for protection and when these forces pulled out of the south, many teachers left as well. The end of the era of Freedmen's Schools was marked by the 1875 Separate but Equal sentiment. This had found popularity and would continue the oppression of African Americans until integration was put into effect. ==See also==