American History Quiz.

[SunnyATT]

12. Unfortunately "Slavery" did not end for Black Americans in 1865.

"Black" codes, vagrancy laws, and the criminalization of Black Americans existed long after the Civil War. In 1865, lawmakers amended the Constitution to outlaw slavery "except as a punishment for a crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted". The crime often was no written proof of a permanent resident or employment. Black men, women, and sometimes children were picked up, locked up, and put to work as prison laborers under horrific conditions. A slave had monetary value to the owner, a prisoner none and death from exposure, malnutrition, or exhaustion was not uncommon. A book written by Douglas Blackmon, "Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans" was featured in an enlightening PBS documentary that covers the period from the Civil War to WWII. Some could argue that "modern day slavery" still exists as companies like McDonald's, Wal-Mart, Starbucks, AT&T, et alia continue to profit from prison labor.