What are they?
Black Codes are very restrictive laws integrated into the society of Southern states after the Civil War. They were created as a reaction to the abolition of slavery and emancipation of the slaves. The severity of the Black Codes varied from state to state, but usually involved the same two topics; granting new rights and imposing restrictions. Most basic codes allowed the marriage of blacks and the legitimization of black families, the right to an education, and the right to a trial if necessary.
The Bad
Black codes often brought along more restrictions then rights. The ownership of firearms was prohibited for blacks along with the intermarriage of whites and blacks. The Black Codes also involved the topic of labor. Because the southern economy was in such bad shape, they used the black codes as a way to restart agricultural production. A majority of Black Codes restricted blacks from taking any job other than farming. However, Blacks were allowed to purchase a license granting them the opportunity to work in their desired field, but this required a generally high amount of money along with the authorization from a white official. Some states made it a law for them to work for their former owner and they had to work very specific hours. Some even forbade blacks from speaking while they worked. Under the Black Codes, an unemployed freedmen could be loaned out for work if he or she was not careful. They could even be put into jail. In some states, the Black Codes were so severe, many slaves lost rights that they had once enjoyed.
The Good
In December, 1865, congress denied seating to southerners to form the Joint Committee on Reconstruction. The Joint Committee led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act and the 14th amendment, nullifying most Black Codes.