Stuff You Should Know What were the black codes?
Jan 13, 2022
Dive into the origins of the black codes, laws that sought to maintain control over freed African Americans post-Civil War. Discover how these oppressive regulations aimed to stifle true freedom and equality while benefiting plantation owners and corporations. The discussion highlights the ongoing impact of these historical injustices on modern society. Explore the unfulfilled promise of land for freed slaves and the sad legacy of systemic racism that echoes to this day.
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Black Codes Overview
- The Black Codes were laws enacted briefly after the Civil War.
- They aimed to restrict the freedoms of newly freed slaves.
Motivation Behind the Codes
- Southern plantation owners created Black Codes to maintain their agricultural labor system.
- Northern corporations supported this to avoid supply chain disruptions.
Lincoln's Assassination and Johnson's Rise
- Five days after the Civil War, Lincoln was assassinated.
- Andrew Johnson, a Southerner, took over, appointing military governors.