Question

Many southern states passed laws known as Black Codes to get around laws passed by Congress. On the surface, it looked as though they were giving African Americans their rights. The codes allowed African Americans to marry, own property, make contracts, and sue and be sued. The laws also allowed them to testify in courts. In reality, the codes put restrictions on African Americans. They could marry, but only within their race. They could testify, but only in cases that involved other African Americans. For every give, there was a take. The Black Codes prevented African Americans from voting, attending school, owning land, or even getting jobs. These laws caused conflict between the North and South as they attempted to reunite after the Civil War.

Summary of 40 words or less

Answer 1

After the Civil War southern states enacted Black Codes that superficially granted rights—marriage, property, contracts, legal testimony—but imposed restrictions (race-limited marriage/testimony) and barred voting, schooling, land ownership, and jobs, provoking Northern-Southern conflict during Reconstruction.