Maycomb, AL in "To Kill a Mockingbird" was characterized by a deeply ingrained social climate of racial segregation and inequality. The town was subject to the Jim Crow Laws, which mandated segregation in public spaces and imposed strict legal, social, and economic restrictions on black Americans.
One event from chapters 12-16 that highlights the effects of Jim Crow Laws on different races in Maycomb is the incident involving Tom Robinson, a black man who is falsely accused of raping a white woman. The social climate of Maycomb is reflected in the way the trial is conducted, with a white judge and an all-white jury predisposed to finding Tom guilty based solely on his race. The Jim Crow Laws also restrict Tom's ability to receive a fair trial and to defend himself, as he is not allowed to testify on his own behalf.
The impact of Jim Crow Laws on the white population of Maycomb is evident in their unquestioned acceptance of racial segregation and discrimination. They are also shown to be complicit in maintaining the system of segregation, as demonstrated by the all-white jury's verdict in Tom's trial.
For the black American population of Maycomb, Jim Crow Laws meant constant fear and oppression, as they were denied basic rights and freedoms and faced extreme social, economic, and legal discrimination. The trial of Tom Robinson highlights the vulnerability of black Americans to false accusations and the power dynamics at play in a system that is stacked against them.
In conclusion, the social climate in Maycomb, AL was heavily influenced by the Jim Crow Laws, which imposed strict segregation and discrimination on black Americans while reinforcing the racial hierarchies and prejudices of the white population.