History of the United States II / Unit 1 USH2 0008 short lesson, about 20 seconds
How the Codes Worked
Captions available
The idea
The Black codes bound freed people to compulsory labour contracts that barred working for more than one employer and held wages artificially low.
In practice
A freedman who refused a contract arrested for vagrancy and put to forced labour.
Where people slip
Debt bondage tied many to the same land. One scholar quoted in the Yawp called the system slavery by another name.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
- Nothing yet depends on this.
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