Iowa Territorial Supreme Court rules that former slave who contracted for his freedom but was unable to pay the contract price was a free man in Iowa. In Re Ralph, A Black Man. 1857 U.S. Supreme Court rules that fugitive slaves in free states and territories must be returned to their masters. Dred Scott v. Sandford. 1863 Emancipation Proclamation is signed by President Abraham Lincoln.
Amendment abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude.
Civil Rights Act of 1866 guarantees African-Americans the right to contract and equal protection under the law. Iowa Supreme Court rules that segregated schools are illegal. Clark v. The Board of Directors. Iowa Supreme Court rules that African-Americans are entitled to equal treatment in public accommodations. The Iowa Supreme Court rules that schools cannot deny admittance to African-Americans.