What is code noir This word was used for slaves?

The "Code Noir," or "Black Code," was a set of laws established in 1685 by King Louis XIV of France to regulate the treatment and rights of enslaved people in the French colonies. It outlined the conditions of slavery, mandated the humane treatment of enslaved individuals, and set guidelines for their religious practices, primarily Catholicism. Despite its intentions, the Code Noir often reinforced harsh conditions and brutal treatment of enslaved people, reflecting the complexities of colonial governance and racial hierarchy.