Understanding Black Codes and Their Impact on Freedmen

Black Codes were laws that restricted the rights and freedoms of Black freedmen and women after the Civil War. These laws prevented Black people from voting, testifying against white people, serving on juries, and joining state militias. They also restricted travel and employment freedom. The main goal was to maintain the structure of enslavement. Over time, Black Codes evolved into Jim Crow laws, which continued to enforce racial segregation and discrimination.

What were Black Codes and what was their main purpose?

How did Black Codes affect the rights of Black men?

In what ways did Black Codes restrict the freedoms of Black people?

What was the relationship between Black Codes and the structure of enslavement?

How did Black Codes evolve into Jim Crow laws in the next century?