vagrant laws
1. What did the "Vagrant Law" in the Mississippi Black Code prohibit? Look to the primary sources from chapter 15 in Voices of Freedom. Be specific and use several examples.
The “Vagrant Law of the Mississippi Black Code was essentially designed to punish freed black slaves and mulattos from living their lives the way the seemed was right for them. Under the Codes freed slaves and mulattos were not allowed to be unemployed nor were they allowed to assemble together during the day or night. (Foner, pg. 8) The law of assembly was vague to say the least. There was no definition on what assembly was or how many freed black slaves could be in the same place before there was a violation. I can only assume that this was a way for the white men in charge to do what they wanted and legally oppress the free slaves. Punishment for such violations would come with a $50 fine which if not paid would allow a white employer to pay the fine and force the freed slave back into slave labor until the fine was paid.
White men were also not allowed to live in adultery or fornicate with a freed woman or mulatto. This would come with a $200 fine or jail time not exceeding 6 months. (Forner pg. 8) This just sounds like a way for the white men in charge to keep the blood lines pure and avoid future mulattos from being born.
2. Compare and contrast Home Life, The Composite Nation, and An Indian's View of Indian Affairs from chapters 15-16 in Voices of Freedom. How are the views expressed in these sources similar? How are they different? Answer both questions and be sure to be specific, use examples and explain completely.
The views expressed in Home Life, The Composite Nation, and An Indian’s View of Indian Affairs all express similar the similar view of wanting equal rights to the white men. Elizabeth Cady Stanton demanded that the idea of equality be extended into the private life. (Foner, pg. 14) In The Composite Nation Frederick Douglass gave a speech condemning the
The “Vagrant Law of the Mississippi Black Code was essentially designed to punish freed black slaves and mulattos from living their lives the way the seemed was right for them. Under the Codes freed slaves and mulattos were not allowed to be unemployed nor were they allowed to assemble together during the day or night. (Foner, pg. 8) The law of assembly was vague to say the least. There was no definition on what assembly was or how many freed black slaves could be in the same place before there was a violation. I can only assume that this was a way for the white men in charge to do what they wanted and legally oppress the free slaves. Punishment for such violations would come with a $50 fine which if not paid would allow a white employer to pay the fine and force the freed slave back into slave labor until the fine was paid.
White men were also not allowed to live in adultery or fornicate with a freed woman or mulatto. This would come with a $200 fine or jail time not exceeding 6 months. (Forner pg. 8) This just sounds like a way for the white men in charge to keep the blood lines pure and avoid future mulattos from being born.
2. Compare and contrast Home Life, The Composite Nation, and An Indian's View of Indian Affairs from chapters 15-16 in Voices of Freedom. How are the views expressed in these sources similar? How are they different? Answer both questions and be sure to be specific, use examples and explain completely.
The views expressed in Home Life, The Composite Nation, and An Indian’s View of Indian Affairs all express similar the similar view of wanting equal rights to the white men. Elizabeth Cady Stanton demanded that the idea of equality be extended into the private life. (Foner, pg. 14) In The Composite Nation Frederick Douglass gave a speech condemning the