Black Codes - Laws of the Mississippi - Assignment Example

1. What document did they choose and why?The document chosen was the ‘Black Codes’ (1865) which were important laws brought out in Mississippi when slavery was rampant. These codes were introduced in order to restore freedom and equality to the Black population.2. What was the subject matter of each of the documents?Document 1 sheds light on the Civil Rights of Freedmen in Mississippi and explains where they are allowed to enjoy equal rights to the whites and where they cannot.Document 2 is the Mississippi Apprentice Law that explains how protection should be given to minors who are orphaned or destitute and their job activities should be followed up by the officials in charge.

Document 3 was the Mississippi Vagrant Law which discussed the people who come under vagrants such as jugglers, beggars, drunkards, brawlers and nightwalkers who would be convicted for bad speech and behavior.Document 4 is about the Penal Laws of Mississippi which discussed the use of firearms and other weapons in a malicious manner causing injury or death. It also discusses the fines levied and the terms of imprisonment for such people if convicted.3. What do the documents tell us about the topic they have read about?

These documents enlightened us on the important laws brought out during slavery and it shed light on the rights of the blacks in Mississippi and how they could be punished by law if convicted.