Black Codes
~Black Codes were laws that began to be passed in the summer and fall of 1865 to restrict the rights and limit the freedoms of newly freed African Americans.
~Many Southerners wanted to keep African Americans in an inferior position. They were afraid that the economy would collapse without free labor in the fields.
Laws (black codes) among the Southern states were varied but the goal was to return newly freed blacks to a new kind of legislated slavery.
~Many Southerners wanted to keep African Americans in an inferior position. They were afraid that the economy would collapse without free labor in the fields.
Laws (black codes) among the Southern states were varied but the goal was to return newly freed blacks to a new kind of legislated slavery.
- Land owners wanted to keep African Americans working in the fields. Forced them to sign "labor contracts" or possibly be arrested.
- Second class rights were granted such as legalized marriage, ownership of property, and limited access to the courts.
- Could not testify against whites, serve in juries, vote or serve in state militias. Barred them from acquiring land.
- Sharecropping replaced slavery.