"Black Codes"

Who?

What?

When?

Where?

Why?

Fall, Summer 1865

o   southern states passed “BLACK CODES” – body of laws that narrowly defined blacks rights and hindered freedom of movement.

1. Legalized marriage, and certain rights to land
2. bound workers to land by contract.

1865- renewed in 1866

Group of government officials who negotiated labor contract laws, and made sure the rights of blacks weren't violated. Ended up funding schools, and hospitals more than support for civil disputes.

799 officials

small amount of land to be distributed. 

It was a noble effort, but was not very effective. It was a very weak protector of african american Rights.

·      The Act stopped all immigration of the Chinese from entering the U.S. Many Chinese at the time were immigrating to U.S. to work during the California Gold Rush, and the time of the Central Pacific Railroad. As more and more Chinese immigrated to the U.S., more and more jobs were being taken over which created competition. Over time, hatred toward the Chinese led to their inability to come to the U.S.  

 Dawe’s Act of 1887

o   Henry Dawes of Massachusetts asenate.

o   Break up land, and give to indians so that they could start farms.

o   Rest of it was sold for real cheap.

§  Part of their plan to assimilate indians into the white culture. For the indians who adopted the “habits of civilized life” would become full-fledge citizens.

§  Destroyed cultural traditions of the Indians.

Homestead Act.- We want free land, (federal government) \

·      One of the reasons for Rapid development of the west.

·      Lead to Indian Removal of the Southeast,

·      They would receive title to the land if they stayed 5 years, $30 bucks

·      372,000 farms created

o   Lead to development of railroads, which expanded ways of traveling and economy. (Congress passed Pacific Railway Act)

§  Railroads developed 1862-64.

·      the 14^th Amendment- placed in the Constitution the principle of citizenship for all persons born in the United States, and which empowered the federal government to protect the rights of all Americans.

·      The amendment prohibited the states from abridging the “privileges and immunities” of citizens or denying them the “equal protection of the law”.

·      Between the radical and moderate positions on black suffrage, the amendment did not grant blacks the right to vote, but it did provide that if a state denied the vote to any group of men, that state’s representation in Congress would be reduced.