Former Slaves: Was it Better Before or After?

Reconstruction was a time when the Union was trying to fix itself at the seems. The issues with slavery were ended, making life easier on former slaves. Before Reconstruction, former slaves were unable to marry, vote, or own property legally in the South. Once Reconstrustion was under way, former slaves got legal rights to voting, land ownership, and mariage. Black Codes put a damper on those plans, however, with some Southern states having a litaracy test to stop former slaves from voting, and the sharecropping kept former slaves in a state of debt, similar to slavery. I believe that former slaves had it easier during and after Reconstruction, for they had their rights, but certain obstacles were in their way.