Final answer:
The Black Codes were laws passed by southern states after the Civil War to control African Americans and maintain white supremacy. These laws restricted the rights and freedoms of African Americans and perpetuated a system similar to slavery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Black Codes were a series of laws enacted by southern states after the Civil War with the goal of maintaining white supremacy and controlling the newly freed African Americans. These laws granted some rights to African Americans, such as the right to own property and marry, but also denied them fundamental rights like the right to serve on juries or carry weapons. The Black Codes effectively restricted the freedom and mobility of African Americans, locked them into exploitative labor contracts, and perpetuated a system of control similar to slavery.