what were slave codes
1 answer
Slave codes were laws that were created in the United States during the colonial and antebellum periods to regulate the behavior of enslaved people and to maintain the institution of slavery. These laws varied from state to state, but they generally restricted the rights and freedoms of enslaved people, including their ability to move freely, own property, marry, and learn to read and write. Slave codes also established harsh punishments for enslaved people who violated these laws, including physical abuse, imprisonment, and even death. The purpose of these laws was to maintain the power and control of slave owners over their enslaved labor force.