Slave codes are the series of laws that were used in the
colonial period and continued to be used after the American Revolution in some
states to describe the status of slaves as well as the slave owner’s rights and
responsibilities. It outlines what is the definition of the slave and his
purpose. It also lists the punishments
given to slaves based on their offense. The outbreak of the American Civil War
eventually abolished the practice of slavery but it would be long time before
formers slaves were given equal rights
as free whites.
