Complete, state-by-state record of laws affecting the free Negro through 1918
This reference work compiles every enactment within its scope, organized by state and year, to show how legislation shaped the status and rights of free Black people in the United States.
The book aims to provide a thorough, verifiable record of legislation related to the free Negro, including amendments and repeals. It emphasizes the perspectives reflected in law and how public opinion influenced legal treatment over time. The material covers topics such as education, civil rights, segregation, intermarriage, and related issues, and notes when laws were declared void or unconstitutional.
- A complete, state-by-state chronological record of relevant statutes and amendments through 1918
- Explanations of scope, limitations, and the method used to compile the material
- Discussion of key themes such as education, civil rights, and segregation
- Notes on where court decisions affected or clarified laws
Ideal for students, researchers, lawyers, and policy historians seeking a reliable reference on the legal status of free people of color in American history.