African American Oppression Following The Civil War

African American Oppression Following the Civil War Following The Civil War, close to four million slaves were freed, but they were still faced with the systematic oppression of their past. Due to President Johnson’s support of state’s rights, many white southerners were able to place authority over newly freed slaves by establishing Black Codes, the KKK, and segregation. The new freedoms gained by African Americans following the civil war were insignificant because white superiority was heavily present. After the passing of the 13th amendment, which abolished slavery, Black Codes enabled white southerners to legally control blacks. The Black Codes were laws placed on African Americans in the South that were designed to prolong slavery even though it was abolished (Black). The Black Codes restricted African American’s new found freedom and forced them into labor. In many states, they were required to sign yearly labor contracts, and if they refused to sign them, they were subject to fines, unpaid labor, and arrest (Black). If they left their job before their contract was over, they were forced to forfeit their previously earned wages and they were subject to arrest (Black). The only occupations that African Americans were allowed to have were farming and servitude, unless they paid an annual fine ranging from 10 to 100 dollars (Black). There were also apprenticeship laws that affected African American children. 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