banks undertook a number of steps intended to facilitate the reconstruction plans of president lincoln in louisiana. when banks arrived in new orleans, the atmosphere was somewhat hostile to the union owing to some of butler's actions. banks moderated some of butler's policies, freeing civilians that butler had detained and reopening churches whose ministers refused to support the union. he recruited large numbers of african americans for the military, and instituted formal works and education programs to organize the many slaves who had left their plantations, believing they had been freed. because banks believed the plantation owners would need to play a role in reconstruction, the work program was not particularly friendly to african americans, requiring them to sign year-long work contracts, and subjecting vagrants to involuntary public work. the education program was effectively shut down after southerners regained control of the city in 1865.