Laws and African-American Iowans African-Americans who came to
Iowa in the early 1800s knew that slavery was illegal here. In
1820 before Iowa was a state, the U.S. Congress had passed a law
called the Missouri Compromise which made slavery illegal in
parts of the area known as the Louisiana Purchase including
Iowa. Even though slavery was outlawed in northern states such
as Iowa, African-Americans were not always welcome. Many
northern states passed laws known as "Black Codes" to discourage
African-Americans from moving north. Iowa was no different. In
1838 lawmakers passed laws that made it difficult for African-
Americans to move to Iowa. Another of Iowa's Black Codes, called
the "Act to Regulate Blacks and Mulattoes," included bills that
limited the rights of African-Americans. They were not allowed
to vote, serve in the military, or testify in court against a
European-American person. African-American children were not
allowed to attend Iowa's schools. A year after these laws were
passed, legislators made