The Power of the Press in the South’s Battle against the Freedmen’s Bureau

Name

Rachel E. Gay Ms., Georgia Southern UniversityFollow

Publication Date

4-23-2019

Major

History (B.A.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (open access)

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Solomon Smith

Abstract

Since the invention of the printing press in the 15^th century, people have been using the power of the press to enforce their political opinion. When the Freedmen’s Bureau entered the South following the end of the Civil War, it was met with much opposition by the white Georgians. The newspapers in Georgia began their attacks on the Bureau using methods that would appeal to the audience and create a sense of tension between the locals and the Bureau agents.

Thesis Summary

Following the end of the Civil War, the Freedmen's Bureau went to Georgia to help the newly freed slaves begin their lives of freedom. The Freedmen's Bureau was met with much opposition by the white people in Georgia. One way of expressing their anger and frustration towards the bureau was through newspapers. Newspapers had the power to print stories on the Freedmen's Bureau in an attempt to rid it from the South.

Recommended Citation

Gay, Rachel E. Ms., "The Power of the Press in the South’s Battle against the Freedmen’s Bureau" (2019). Honors College Theses. 428.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/honors-theses/428