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The Black Codes
These were laws passed by the Southern states intended to strain African Americans' freedom and to reward their work with low wages, often leading them into debt. They also gave them limited access in the courts, making them unable to testify against whites.
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-codes
Give Me Liberty textbook -
Jim Crow Laws
This set of laws was created in order to keep blacks and whites separated. These laws prohibited blacks from entering public places and even made it difficult for them to vote.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Jim-Crow-law -
The 13th Amendment
The 13th amendment was created to abolish slavery in the United States for good after the civil war. Slaves were no longer considered property and were to be treated as citizens.
http://americanhistory.si.edu/changing-america-emancipation-proclamation-1863-and-march-washington-1963/1863/impact-and-legacy -
Ku Klux Klan
The KKK was founded by six confederate veterans. They went from being a social fraternity to being a violent group. By 1869 they were responsible for countless murders, destruction of property, and other acts of terrorism.
https://css.history.com/topics/ku-klux-klan -
Civil Rights Act of 1866
This was the first law that declared all persons born in the U.S. citizens regardless of their race or previous condition. This was significant because before only whites were able to receive citizenship and protection.
https://www.thoughtco.com/civil-rights-act-of-1866-4164345 -
The 14th Amendment
This amendment gave all persons born or naturalized in the United States citizenship, including slaves. Under this it is said that their rights are protected, and they are treated fairly in the court of law.
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/fourteenth-amendment -
Hall v. Decuir
In this case it was ruled that states could allow legal segregation. They had the right to refuse service to anyone they wanted. This was common in railroads, streetcars, or riverboats.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/95/485 -
The 15th Amendment
Prior to this amendment African American men were counted as 3/5ths of a vote and this gave them the right to vote for themselves freely. Not only African American men were given the right but any citizen in the U.S.
https://guides.loc.gov/15th-amendment -
The Chinese Exclusion Act
This was an official law that restricted Chinese laborers to come to the United States to seek employment. They believed they were trying to preserve the health of white citizens and forced all Chinese Americans to wear ID cards wherever they went.
Give Me Liberty Textbook -
Plessy v. Ferguson
This laid the foundation of legal segregation. It was said that blacks can have their own institutions and services as long as it was "separate but equal", unfortunately none usually were.
https://www.thirteen.org/wnet/supremecourt/antebellum/landmark_plessy.html -
Current KKK Activity
After the election of President Trump there was an increase of racial tensions. It was said that KKK activity has increased since early 2016 in 22 states. -
Citizenship Issues
Today, there are many people who disagree that ALL persons born in the U.S. should receive citizenship. President Trump as even claimed to end birthright citizenship to those who have noncitizen parents. -
Travel Ban
Recently Trump placed a travel ban on 6 Muslim countries. His goal was to exclude any Muslims from coming into the U.S., as he supported with the idea of it being for the nation's security but this was discrimination against a whole religion. -
The Right to Refuse Service
As tensions grow, many citizens have turned their back on the LGBQT community. There was an instance in Denver where a baker refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple and a cake celebrating gender transition. -
Laws Against Human Slavery
Since the 13th Amendment is mainly focused on the actions of citizens, Congress is able to create laws against any form of slavery like human trafficking which is common in modern times. -
Other laws protecting the right to vote
The 15th amendment plays a minor roll in our present day but since then we have created other federal statutes, like the VRA, to protect the right to vote. We have now adopted the electoral college that is now supposed to represent their state when voting but many have said it to be unreliable. -
Modern Segregation
Now we have determined the decision made on the Plessy v. Ferguson case unconstitutional with the Brown v. Board of education case in 1954. Although there is no more segregated schools many believe there is still an imbalance of quality education determined by location and essentially money. -
Racial Profiling
What came with the black codes at the time was an increase of police officers abusing their power. It is evident that blacks are mainly targeted by police as they're seen more likely to commit crimes in modern times. -
Voting Difficulties
Today we have passed a few laws that make it harder to our communities of color to vote. Although it doesn't take away anyone's right to vote like the Jim Crow laws did, the new laws often discouraged people of color are to go vote. Not only that but there is still cases of discrimination all around the U.S. -
Discrimination All Around US
As a result to the Civil Rights act, the KKK was formed which is still seen around today. We still see discrimination against people of color but now it was spread to other rights like reproduction rights and same-sex marriages.
