The thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth amendments were all aimed at creating equality for blacks like they had never previously had. While these amendments were an integral part of the equalization of the slaves, they did little to curb the racism that had a hold of much of the south at that time. This is evidenced by some of the regional laws that were passed during that time to prevent the amendments from have a lasting effect, and also the treatment of African Americans at that time. .
Although the amendments were very effective in furthering the cause of racial equality they were not without opposition. Many regional laws were passed specifically to mitigate the rights granted to African Americans by these new amendments. The Black codes were sets of laws that were set up in different towns and cities all over the south. These codes served to counteract the thirteenth amendment and place restrictions on newly freed slaves so that they were manipulated into giving up their newfound freedoms. .
The Jim Crow laws were state-wide laws that were set up in response to the fourteenth amendment. These laws forced segregation on the new citizens and led to poor conditions for African Americans. They were founded on the idea of "separate but equal." This slogan became the defense of these laws in pivotal arguments like the Supreme Court ruling of Plessy versus Ferguson. In contrast to the fifteenth amendment's guarantee to the right to vote, many southern states implemented voting restrictions like the necessity of literacy or poll taxes. All of these obstacles for the amendments show the true racist spirit of the South at that time and their unwillingness to comply with any ruling that would put African Americans on equal standings with whites.
Another evidence of the continuation of racial hatred during the time of the amendment, was the treatment of African Americans during that time.
