what were slave codes state laws to control slaves conduct standards, slaves held to themselves states laws to expand slavery or national laws to limit slavery
Slave codes were state laws that were designed to control the behavior of slaves and regulate their interactions with white people. These laws were meant to maintain order and ensure that slaves remained submissive and obedient to their owners.
Some common provisions found in slave codes included prohibitions on slaves learning to read or write, restrictions on their movements and activities, and harsh punishments for disobedience or rebellion. These laws also defined the rights of slave owners and outlined the legal framework for the institution of slavery.
Additionally, some states passed laws that expanded the practice of slavery, such as laws that made it easier for slave owners to buy and sell slaves or laws that allowed for the inheritance of slaves as property. Conversely, there were also national laws, such as the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which required that escaped slaves be returned to their owners, that sought to limit the spread and practice of slavery.