How did the black codes oppress the African Americans you think they were slaves?

The Black Codes were laws enacted in the southern United States after the Civil War that aimed to restrict the freedoms of African Americans and maintain white supremacy. They enforced discriminatory practices, such as limiting the types of jobs African Americans could hold, imposing curfews, and requiring labor contracts that often mirrored conditions of slavery. These codes effectively sought to control the African American population, perpetuating economic and social disadvantages while reinforcing racial hierarchies. Ultimately, they were designed to ensure that African Americans remained subservient and disenfranchised in a post-slavery society.