slaves in the United States?

Question

1. What specific restrictions were placed on slaves? Were the same restrictions placed on free blacks?
2. How did free blacks respond to the slave codes?
3. What did abolitionists do in response to the slave codes?
4. When and how did the codes change? When and how were slave codes eliminated?

Answer 1

Hey there. I'm a Law Student of England but I'll answer your question as US Law is relatively easy and less complex. Reckon you're either curious as to history aspect or merely finding a base for your school assignment.

[1] Slave codes were laws that maintained 'legal relation of master and slave' is not of criminal liabilty, manifested throughout the period of 1640s to the 1860s. Every slave state had its own slave code.

[2] Certain states had written codes regulating the legality of Slavery such as:

-South Carolina, 'Slaves shall be deemed, sold, taken, reputed and adjudged in law to be chattels personal' (2 Brevard’s Digest, 229; Prince’s Digest, 446, &c., &c.)
-Louisiana, 'A slave is one who is in the power of a master to whom he belongs.' Civil Code of Louisiana, Article 35.
-Kentucky, 'By the law of descents, slaves are considered real estate, and pass in consequence to heirs' (2 Littell & Swigert’s Digest, 1155.)

Certain states had statutes (written laws) legalising Slavery such as:
Maryland, 'In case the personal property of a ward shall consist of specific articles, such as Slaves' (Act of 1798, chap. CI. No. 12.)

[3] Restrictions are as such:

- Slaves may be seized and sold to pay the debts of their Owners against their will.
-Slaves, as Property, are transmitted by Inheritance, or by Will, to heirs at law, without a choice.
-Slaves, as Property, may be used, absolutely, by their Owners, for their own profit or pleasure.
-Slaves being Property themselves, they can own no property, nor make any contract which includes marriage.
-Slaves, as a Chattel, is fed or famished, covered or uncovered, sheltered or unsheltered, at the discretion or convenience of his Owner, like other working animals.

[4] The 'Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage' was the first American abolition society, formed April 14, 1775. Soon, reforms for anti slavery were urged by The Abolitionist Movement, headed by powerful Federalist politicians, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and republican Aaron Burr.

[5] The first state to abolish slavery outright was Pennsylvania in 1780. All of the states north of Maryland began gradually to abolish slavery between 1781 and 1804. Rhode Island in 1774, Georgia in 1798. Several states abolished slavery for themselves at various dates between 1777 and 1864.

[6] Famed figures of active abolitionists includes: Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas(Democrat) and John C. Frémont(Republican).

[7] Slavery was officially abolished till today in the US by 'THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES Amendment 13 - Slavery Abolished'
Amendment XIII - Slavery Abolished. Ratified 12/6/1865
Section 1 - 'Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.'

Wynne.

Answer 2

How did the codes change? It change it thank to Abraham Lincoln.
I quote "We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature." This is Lincoln's First Inaugural Address in March 4, 1861.

I quote "My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union. I shall do less whenever I shall believe what I am doing hurts the cause, and I shall do more whenever I shall believe doing more will help the cause." Letter to Horace Greeley (August 22, 1862)

Answer 3

Slaves had only one thing to do....obey master.
Free blacks could do everything but vote, socialize with white folks or have any power
i suggest you read the autobiography of Frederick Douglas who was one of the biggest abolitionist of that period. He was a motivating force in the movement to end slavery.

Answer 4

Do I think there could have been white slaves. Yes, absolutely. But do I think a white man/woman was owned by a black person? No. That would never fly in a society where blacks were considered below the whites. That man, and most likely his family, would have been killed before they could put their white slave to work or even think about whipping him.

Answer 5

Go to MNR website, and all of your questions will be answered in

a timely manner.

Answer 6

Slavery, in the US, hasn't existed in almost 150 years. Find something more relevant to ask about.