General Oliver Howard

Definition

General Oliver Howard was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War and a key figure in post-war Reconstruction. He headed the Freedmen's Bureau, an agency aimed at helping freed slaves transition to freedom and citizenship.

Analogy

Think of General Oliver Howard as a coach who steps in after a big game (the Civil War) to help injured players (freed slaves) recover and get back on their feet.

Related terms

Freedmen's Bureau: An agency established by Congress in 1865 to assist freed slaves in transitioning from slavery to freedom.

Union Army: The land force that fought for the Northern states during the American Civil War.

Reconstruction Era: The period following the American Civil War, from 1865-1877, when Southern states were reorganized and reintegrated into the Union.