Slave Codes

Slave codes were laws established in the American colonies and later states to control enslaved people. They defined the rights of slaveholders and severely limited the freedoms of enslaved individuals, such as prohibiting education, movement, or gathering without permission. These laws aimed to reinforce the system of slavery by preventing resistance and maintaining racial hierarchy. Essentially, slave codes institutionalized the oppression of enslaved people, ensuring their subjugation and allowing for harsh punishments if they defied these restrictions.