What was the importance of slave codes?

Answer 1

Slave codes were laws that were passed in the American colonies and later in the United States to regulate the behavior of slaves and to protect the interests of slave owners. The codes varied from colony to colony, but generally they restricted the rights of slaves, including their right to own property, to testify in court, to travel, and to congregate. The codes also established harsh punishments for slaves who disobeyed their masters or attempted to escape.