What was the goal of the Black Codes?

The goal of the Black Codes was primarily to limit the rights of freedmen. After the Civil War and the abolition of slavery, Southern states enacted these laws to control the newly freed African American population. The Black Codes imposed various restrictions on the rights of freedmen, such as limiting their ability to vote, own property, or gain employment. The intent was to maintain the social and economic hierarchy that existed prior to the Civil War, effectively relegating freedmen to a status similar to that of indentured servitude.

The other options do not accurately capture the primary purpose of the Black Codes. Promoting education or ensuring economic stability were not goals of these oppressive laws; rather, the codes sought to restrict the freedoms and opportunities of African Americans. Additionally, while encouragement of land ownership might seem beneficial, the Black Codes often made it difficult for freedmen to own property or engage fully in the economy, further illustrating the oppressive aim of these measures.