Black Codes During The Reconstruction Era

“The Black Codes”
Although the Union (North) was victorious in the civil war and gained the freedom for millions of slaves, African Americans were blind to the effects to come. African Americans would face a new attack of obstacles and injustices during this time of the Reconstruction era. The Black Codes passed by the new southern government; which attempted to help regulate the lives of former slaves, but because of the lenient reconstruction policy’s lead by president Andrew Johnson white southerners were able to reestablish these civil authority’s they once had through the Black codes. The Black Codes were designed to restrict the activity of freed slaves and guarantee their convenience as a labor force now that slavery was abolished by the 13th amendment.
It is important to understand that even after the victory of the civil war African Americans were not freed.
The Black codes were a set of laws that white southerners used to control black citizens even after the passing of the 13th,14th, and 15th amendment. Freed slaves had restrictions and were prohibited to the right to vote, forbidding them the right to sit on juries, limiting them the right to testify against white men, caring weapons in public, and working in certain occupations. As stated by Forner “Clearly, the death of slavery did not automatically mean the birth of freedom” (570). It took more than just the winning of a war to gain the freedom of African Americans. Even with the 13th,14th, and 15th amendment African Americans still received the same treatment before the passing of the amendments. It was all paper, but no one practiced it in reality. it wasn't until 100 years later (civil rights movement) where the African Americans actually fought for their rights. If these amendments were actually practiced I believe we would of had our first black president back then instead of the 21st
century.
The Black Codes would be listed under the category of law codes because of the laws it Consisted of. The fact that The Black Codes are listed under law codes made the laws that much significant in society. Knowing that The Black Codes contained certain laws Blacks had no other Choice, but to follow them because of the consequences that come with disobeying laws. They Were granted certain laws such as legalized marriage, ownership of property, and limited access to court. With those laws given to freed slaves, there was a request by the planters’ that demanded the freed people be required to work on the plantations, the Black Codes declared that those who failed to sign yearly contracts could be arrested and hired out to white landowners. “Where is justice? Where is freedom?” (570). African Americans questioned their freedom as they are reliving their years of slavery, just in a different format and with laws to hide the fact that white people are still implementing slavery even after emancipation. The Black codes came during the time where African Americans were treated poorly and little respect to their name. They were in a place where they didn’t know what it meant to have rights and what it was like to be free. Following the civil war, they grasped the hope that they were finally going to be free, but let down through the use of the Black Codes.
With the practice of the Black Codes violating the rights of blacks and free labor principles the north thought it was under their responsibility to do something about it. While most of the union army was demobilized, the union knew enough was enough and it was time to go against Johnson’s policies. They did this with no intention to hurt or discipline the south, but rather to get the point across that they must accept the loss and accept the reality of free slaves. “We must see to it,” said by republican senator William Stewart of Nevada. Although it has been over a 100 years since slavery we live in a society where some people have yet to grasp the fact that blacks or any color in between should be treated with respect and shouldn’t be treated differently because the color of their skin.