The "Jim Crow" laws were passed in Georgia (as well as other Southern states) primarily to enforce racial segregation and maintain racial hierarchy in the post-Civil War era. After Reconstruction, as African Americans gained some political and social rights, white supremacists sought to reestablish white dominance and control over black people. The laws were named after a minstrel show character portrayed by white actors in blackface, who perpetuated racist stereotypes of African Americans. These laws enforced racial segregation in public facilities such as schools, parks, transportation, and other public places, restricting black people's access and reinforcing racial discrimination. The laws also aimed to suppress black voting rights through various means, such as poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation tactics. Overall, the objective was to uphold racial segregation and maintain systemic discrimination against African Americans in Georgia and the rest of the South.
