Black Codes

Black Codes were laws enacted in Southern states after the Civil War (around 1865-1866) aimed at controlling and restricting the rights of newly freed African Americans. These laws limited freedoms such as owning property, voting, and employment opportunities, essentially keeping Black people in a state of economic and social subservience similar to slavery. They were designed to maintain white dominance and prevent Black Americans from gaining full independence or equality. The Black Codes faced widespread criticism and led to the passage of federal Civil Rights legislation to protect Black rights.