Meaning: The quote "Gen. Banks has issued an order for the instruction of Negro children. Schoolhouses are to be built or rented and Teachers hired for this purpose, and the farmers and planters are to pay the Taxes in support of this." is a historical statement that sheds light on the efforts made during the Reconstruction era in the United States to provide education for African American children. The quote is attributed to Knute Nelson, a politician who was a prominent figure in Minnesota politics during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

During the Reconstruction era following the Civil War, there was a concerted effort to address the social, economic, and political challenges faced by the newly freed African American population. One of the key areas of focus was education, as it was recognized that access to learning and knowledge was essential for the advancement and empowerment of formerly enslaved individuals and their descendants.

The quote specifically mentions Gen. Banks, referring to General Nathaniel P. Banks, who was a Union general during the Civil War and later served as a prominent political figure during the Reconstruction era. General Banks was known for his efforts to promote Reconstruction policies that aimed to bring about social and political change in the South.

The order issued by Gen. Banks referenced in the quote reflects the commitment to establishing educational opportunities for African American children. It emphasizes the construction or rental of schoolhouses and the hiring of teachers dedicated to the education of Negro, or African American, children. Additionally, the quote highlights the expectation that farmers and planters would contribute to the support of these educational initiatives by paying taxes.

This directive aligns with the broader efforts of the Reconstruction era to establish and expand educational infrastructure for African Americans in the South. It was a period marked by the establishment of schools, the training of teachers, and the implementation of educational policies aimed at providing opportunities for formerly enslaved individuals to access learning and acquire knowledge and skills.

The significance of this quote lies in its representation of the commitment to education as a means of advancing social and economic progress for African American communities during a pivotal period in American history. The efforts to provide education for Negro children during Reconstruction laid the foundation for the long struggle for equal educational opportunities and civil rights for African Americans in the United States.

In conclusion, the quote attributed to Knute Nelson and referencing Gen. Banks' order for the instruction of Negro children serves as a reminder of the historical efforts made to establish educational opportunities for African American children during the Reconstruction era. It reflects a crucial moment in the ongoing struggle for equality and access to education for marginalized communities in the United States.