Question

Why do you think the states of mississippi required all black persons to sign yearly labor contracts but not white citizens?

Answer 1

As a general thought, the states of Mississippi required all black persons to sign yearly labor contracts in order to put them on production (contract work) and allow the South to revive its economy. It could also be a way to regulate Black people’s behavior after the war.

Answer 2

This was one of the measures that states in the South implemented after the abolition of slavery took place during the Civil War. These types of laws are known as the Black Codes.

One of the possible reasons why the state of Mississippi required black people but not white people to sign labor contracts was because the state was trying to find ways in which black people could be controlled. This would effectively reduce the rights and liberties that former slaves received and would allow landowners to continue the system of slavery in an unofficial way.