What were Jim Crow Laws designed to do?

Jim Crow Laws were specifically designed to enforce racial segregation and discrimination in public places and various aspects of life in the United States, particularly following the Reconstruction era until the civil rights movements of the 1960s. These laws mandated the separation of races in schools, transportation, restaurants, and other public facilities, thereby institutionalizing a system of racial hierarchy and inequality.

The intent behind these laws was to maintain white supremacy and limit the rights and social standing of African Americans, restricting their access to equal opportunities and services. By legally mandating segregation, Jim Crow Laws created a pervasive atmosphere of discrimination that denied basic civil rights and perpetuated systemic racism. This historical context underscores the primary purpose of these laws in shaping societal norms around race relations during that period.