To help regulate the relationship between slave and owner, including legal support for keeping the slave as property, slave codes were established.

While each state had its own slave code, many concepts were shared throughout the slave states.

According to the slave codes, teaching a slave to read or write was illegal, although it often took place as children taught each other.

The slave codes were very strict, and robbed the African-American slaves of almost all of their rights as a human being.

The Barbados Assembly reenacted the slave code, with minor modifications, in 1676, 1682, and 1688.

During the late 17th century and early 18th century, harsh new slave codes limited the rights of African slaves and cut off their avenues to freedom.

The Board passed slave codes, created a volunteer fire department, and created an overseer to improve street quality.

Enforcement of slave codes also varied, but corporal punishment was widely and harshly employed to great effect.

The extreme treatment was eventually regulated by slave codes, but plantation society remained tied to the rule of the whip.

The official printed slave code was issued only a month before slavery ended there.