Black Codes in the United States
Black Codes
United States Constitution
According to theEncyclopedia of the American Constitution, about its article titled BLACK CODESIn 1865_1866, the former slave states enacted statutes, collectively known as the “Black Codes,” regulating the legal and constitutional status of black people. The Black Codes attempted to accomplish two objectives: (1) to enumerate the legal rights essential to the status of freedom of
(read more about Constitutional law entries here).
Some Constitutional Law Popular Entries
- Constitutional Law Outline
- Constitutional Law Outline (United States)
- Constitutional Lawyer
- Constitutional Law of India
- Constitutional Law Definition
- Constitutional Law Cases
- Constitutional Law Cases (United States)
Black Codes in relation to Crime and Race
Black Codes is included in the Encyclopedia of Race and Crime (1), beginning with: Following the Civil War, southern legislatures created the Black Codes to regulate the civil and legal rights and responsibilities of former slaves and free Blacks. In the face of the devastation caused by the Civil War and the ensuing economic depression in the agriculturally based economy, severe restrictions were imposed on Black people so that they would not gain legal, political, economic, and social rights. Indeed, the Black Codes were designed to maintain White control over the Black population. While the Black Codes were different from restrictions during slavery, they placed the states in a position similar to that of the former slave masters. Black Codes not only controlled the lives of Black people but also were the source of free labor, which was needed to replace the abolished slave labor.
Black Codes in the U.S. Legal History
Summary
Laws passed by Southern state legislatures during Reconstruction, while Congress was out of session. These laws limited the rights of former slaves and led Congress to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment.
Resources
Notes and References
- Entry about Black Codes in the Encyclopedia of Race and Crime
Leave a Reply