Jim Crow Laws

During the Gilded Age, from 1880 to 1920, Jim Crow laws were established to enforce racial segregation in Southern states, promoting the idea of "separate but equal" facilities for white and Black people. These laws responded to the end of slavery and the Reconstruction era by attempting to maintain white supremacy and control over African Americans. Jim Crow laws affected everyday life by segregating schools, transportation, and public spaces, leading to widespread discrimination and inequality. Although the laws were abolished, their legacy persists today in various forms of systemic racism and social inequality. For example, schools in some areas still suffer from racial disparities in funding and resources, affecting educational opportunities for minority students.