What are the Black Codes
The
Black Codes were laws for freed African Americans that restricted
their activity and ensured their ability as a labor force. The Black
codes had an origin in the slave codes before the 13th
Amendment was written (Harkins, What are black codes). The Black
Codes were laws that kept African Americans from owning their own
property, testifying in court, serving on a jury,
choosing their job, or voting in elections (Harkins, What are black
codes). They also restrained personal freedoms (Harkins, What are
black codes). African Americans were not allowed to marry outside
their own race, and laws were put in place which made it nearly impossible
for them to own property. African Americans were also not allowed to
move freely from town to town or be out at night without a specific
purpose.