Why did the black codes end short
The Black Codes were laws enacted in the southern states of the United States after the Civil War, with the aim to restrict the rights and freedoms of African Americans and maintain white domination. These laws imposed severe limitations on the newly freed slaves' civil rights, including their ability to own property, engage in certain occupations, and move freely.
The Black Codes were met with significant opposition and condemnation from both Northern politicians and the African American community. The laws were seen as a continuation of the oppressive practices of slavery and a violation of the newly won rights of African Americans.
Furthermore, the implementation of the Black Codes also led to a surge in violence against African Americans by white supremacist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. This violence and the disenfranchisement of African Americans eventually fueled widespread public outrage and prompted federal intervention.
In 1865, the U.S. Congress passed the Civil Rights Act, which sought to counteract the discriminatory intent of the Black Codes. The act declared that all citizens, regardless of race or color, were entitled to the same rights and privileges. Additionally, the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1868, granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to African Americans, further weakening the legal basis for the Black Codes.
The combination of public opposition, federal legislation, and the push for equal rights eventually played a significant role in ending the Black Codes. However, it is essential to note that the struggle for civil rights and equality for African Americans persisted for many years after the abolition of the Black Codes, culminating in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.