History of the United States I / Unit 16 USH1 2269 short lesson, about 20 seconds
How the Codes Worked
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The idea
The codes required labour contracts preventing work for more than one employer, which eliminated wage negotiation, and workers accumulated debt through low wages and employer loans.
In practice
Contract violation punished by fines or beating.
Where people slip
Refusing a contract brought arrest for vagrancy and unpaid forced labour, which is the Thirteenth Amendment's own exception at entry 2255 put to work.
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