Most histories say all 11 former Confederate states passed Black Codes after the Civil War, though the exact laws and timing varied by state. Mississippi led the way in 1865, and other Southern states followed in 1865–1866.

Quick Scoop

  • The Black Codes were postwar laws in the former Confederacy meant to control Black labor and freedom.
  • They were enacted across the South, not just in one or two states.
  • By the end of 1866, the system had spread through the former Confederate states before federal Reconstruction measures pushed back.

What that means

If someone asks “how many states passed Black Codes,” the safest short answer is: 11 states, if you mean the former Confederate states. Some sources emphasize that Mississippi passed the first major postwar Black Code in 1865, with South Carolina and others following soon after.

TL;DR

11 former Confederate states passed Black Codes in the post-Civil War era.