The Freedmen's Bureau was an extraordinary agency established by Congress in 1865; born of the expansion of federal power during the Civil War and the Union's desire to protect and provide for the South's emancipated slaves. Charged with the mandate to change the southern racial "status quo" in education; civil rights; and labor; the Bureau was in a position to play a crucial role in the implementation of Reconstruction policy.The ineffectiveness of the Bureau in Georgia and other southern states has often been blamed on the racism of its northern administrators; but Paul A. Cimbala finds the explanation to be much more complex. In this remarkably balanced account; he blames the failure on a combination of the Bureau's northern free-labor ideology; limited resources; and temporary nature―as well as deeply rooted white southern hostility toward change. Because of these factors; the Bureau in practice left freedpeople and ex-masters to create their own new social; political; and economic arrangements.
#1170833 in Books 2008-10-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 11.24 x .74 x 8.30l; 1.50 #File Name: 0819568627232 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great book if youre interested in the subject matterBy homeownerguyI grew up in western connecticut in one of the towns that this person passed through; and I was told the legend of the Leatherman for years. The Leatherman is one of the few remaining folklore myths of that part of the country. This book contains nothing actually written by the author other than an introduction; it's actually a chronological collection of old news articles reporting sightings and opinions on this person from back then; and old photos and maps of CT and New York country towns and villages from the late 1800s. From these historical articles; the author was able to trace a very accurate account of a 30 year wandering period consisting of several round trips; able to tell you when and where the Leatherman showed up and who he visited. There are also reprints of every known photo of this character. Not only a great story of a mythical folklore figure but also a window into small-town life in rural New York and CT during a time in America's history that is no more.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. In the range....By N.MI spent the later of my childhood in Berlin; CT. I heard of this man when I was around 10. A friends father took us to his cave on Four Rod Rd behind their property and introduced me to the history of him. I have also been to the shelters at Ragged Mt that this book confirms. A great book filled with great archival news clippings. A lot of pictures that aren't scanned online; at least from what I have seen. I learned more than i can keep about this man compared to the simple story I once heard.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Kathy Shawlvery interesting book......thank you for being able to obtain a copy!
