How did segregation laws develop in the South after 1890?

Segregation laws in the South after 1890 became increasingly systematic and codified through legislation. Following the Civil War and the end of Reconstruction, the South enacted numerous laws known as Jim Crow laws, which institutionalized racial segregation across various aspects of public life, including education, housing, and public accommodations. These laws were enforced through local and state regulations that mandated separate facilities for whites and African Americans, demonstrating a clear shift from informal customs to formal, legal requirements.

The development of these laws was influenced by social attitudes of the time and a desire to maintain white supremacy. They provided a legal framework for discrimination, outlining the terms under which African Americans were segregated. This systematic approach was a significant means by which the Southern states maintained racial hierarchy and control, leading to a deeply entrenched system of inequality.

The other choices do not accurately portray the historical context of segregation laws during that period. For instance, segregation was not implemented quietly; it was a very public and politically charged issue. Additionally, while there may have been some variations in the enforcement of these laws regionally, they were largely uniform in their systematic approach across Southern states, affecting all areas of public life, not just limited specifics like public transportation.