Freedom in Chains

         African Americans would often become angry after being tricked out of their well-deserved money through Sharecropping, this could lead to them trying to steal tools, crops or even animals. The Pig Laws were passed in some states to enhance penalties. Any theft of property over ten dollars became a felony (Mississippi Timeline). The new law dramatically increased the number black prisoners in southern jails. In Alabama, in the 1850s, 99% of prisoners were white, in the 1870s, 85% were black. (Slavery by Another Name). This shows the average amount of African American prisoners jumping overnight. Due to the many arrests of African Americans, the local newspaper would say “[number] people arrested for: (normally theft due to Pig Laws) all negro.” (Slavery by Another Name). This was meant to scare Blacks into not stealing or acting out, and to portray blacks as criminals. However, what it really shows, is that whites did not have to worry about the law because no whites were arrested. The Pig Laws combined with Sharecropping forced and frightened African Americans back into labor on plantations.