Were freed African American slaves really promised 40 acres and a mule?

Answer 1

It is not true that ALL were promised "40 acres and a mule". That was limited to the area covered by General Sherman's 'Special Field Orders No. 15" of January 1865 -- in part of Georgia and South Carolina. Not absolutely sure "promised" is the right word, though. As much as we might agree with his decision, and dislike Andrew Johnson's reaction and policies, Sherman was NOT authorized to take this step, and Johnson did have the authority to override/rescind it. Of course, since a fair amount of land had been transferred by the time Johnson rescinded the order that June, it still feels a lot like a broken promise.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/40_acres_and_a_mule

In fact, for the GOVERNMENT to officially make such a promise, it would have to be done by Congressional legislation, which never happened. Radical Republican Thaddeus Stevens DID advocate something very similar, involving the confiscation of land of the LARGEST landholders, and providing 40 acres and $100 for building a house (no mule, but worth a lot more!)

To see the legislation that would have authorized this, and Stevens's speech in support of it see this:

Speech of the Hon. Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylvania, Delivered in the House of Representatives, March 19, 1867, on the Bill (H.R. No. 20) Relative to Damages to Loyal Men, and for Other Purposes
http://chnm.gmu.edu/courses/122/recon/stevens.htm
full speech - http://history.furman.edu/~benson/hst41/silver/stevens1.htm

Note especially his remarks on this provsion:

"The fourth section provides, first, that out of the lands thus confiscated each liberated slave who is a male adult, or the head of a family, shall have assigned to him a homestead of forty acres of land, (with $100 to build a dwelling) which shall be held for them by trustees during their pupilage.

"Let us consider whether this is a just and [sic: politic] provision.

"Whatever may be the fate of the rest of the bill, I must earnestly pray that this may not be defeated. On its success, in my judgment, depends not only the happiness and respectability of the colored race, but their very existence. Homesteads to them are far more valuable than the immediate right of suffrage, though both are their due."

Note that there were VARIOUS reasons why this legistlation was, in the end, defeated. Some was indeed racist. But others who were more sympathetic to the freedmen, had concerns about violating property rights.
http://www.landandfreedom.org/ushistory/us15.htm

In the years just after the Civil War, there were several OTHER attempts to provide the freedmen with land. But Johnson vetoed every such proposal.
http://www.njsbf.org/njsbf/student/respect/fall02-2.cfm

Answer 2

Promised, yes, but getting the land was another problem. General Sherman made the original promise, but President Johnson rescinded the order. The Freedmen's Bureau was in charge of the operation:

http://www.njsbf.org/njsbf/student/respect/fall02-2.cfm
http://freedmensbureau.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedmen's_Bureau

Answer 3

It's what I was taught in High School, but I was also taught that 'history was written by the victors'; Despite their new status, I wouldn't exactly call freed slaves 'victors'.

The only way I could think to look it up would be to look into records to see if it ever happened.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Yes slaves were but we never got it . now reperations (money ) is the issue instead of the 40 acres and a mule.

Answer 5

They were promised freedom by the British in the revolution. The land and a mule were more 'American Dream' things. They thought that everyone who was free was entitled to those things.

EDIT: Ohh, the Civil War. Nevermind then.

Answer 6

Here is the primary reference from Sherman's orders:

Answer 7

Perhaps the information found in
these links would be of help to you:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/991
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/1399
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/1402
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/1747
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/1400
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/1570