What were Black Codes?

Black Codes were regulations implemented in the southern United States after the Civil War, specifically designed to restrict the rights of newly freed slaves. These laws aimed to maintain white supremacy and social order by controlling the labor and behavior of African Americans. They included provisions that limited their freedom of movement, imposed curfews, required them to sign labor contracts, and restricted their rights to own property, vote, or access public facilities.

The context surrounding the enactment of Black Codes illustrates a significant reaction from Southern states to the changes brought about by the emancipation of slaves and the Reconstruction efforts. These codes were a direct attempt to circumvent the protections that were supposed to be granted to African Americans after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery.